PRAISING THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY

The very last verse of Psalms, chapter 150:6, says, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord."

How well I remember Bro. Tompkins, an elderly gentleman who attended Mother's mission church in Dayton, Ohio, many years ago quote that Scripture, not only when he was testifying, but also when encouraging others to testify. "Are you breathing?" he'd ask. "If so, then you ought to be on your feet praising the Lord!"

In answer to that admonition, I would often reply to myself, "But I don't feel like praising the Lord just now!"

Wait a minute! Now that I'm older, I see the logic of Bro. Tompkins' oft repeated exhortation. For I've come to realize that Ps. 150:6 doesn't say one single word about "feeling" like giving praise to the Lord. It simply says, "If you are alive and breathing, DO it!"

Sometimes it's relatively easy to praise the Lord in church, especially when others are caught up in the spirit of praise. Their enthusiasm is contagious. But if we praise the Lord just because we're caught up in the excitement of everyone else's praise, is that really praising the Lord wholeheartedly?

How about praising the Lord when we're home alone, and there's no excitement and enthusiasm to boost our spiritual libido?

Substitute the word "soul" for "heart." "Soul" includes our will, our intellect, our emotions. To praise the Lord at church, sometimes all we need is emotion; but at home we HAVE to use our mind, or our intellect. Feelings still don't enter into the picture, although they can, and will, at times.

So when are we really praising God -- at home when we feel spiritual dry, or at church when we feel goose bumps? Just thought I'd ask!

Hey, do you have breath? If so, use it -- to praise the Lord, that is.

Preacher's Kid