Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.**
Sitting over sandwich and computer, bible propped, I ask you: what scripture should I use to adore you, Father? The day outside forecasts gloom – rain for days, unending – and You forecast otherwise for my heart.
No more accepting the outside circumstantial weather as means for my internal barometer.
Psalm 34 You whisper to my spirit.
I remember it. Sort of. The verses about a radiant face, the face I’ve been asking You to give me. But the rest is far from my mind on this day — until You interrupt my mind to bring what was far, very very near.
Inside praise, praise on my insides – making my insides new. The verses my eyes once made practice of darting over in order to get to the meat of the passage have now become my meat. Sustenance for my every moment is adoration of You.
I agree with the psalmist: My life can’t survive otherwise. Praise is the surrender of all that I think You are in exchange for all that You tell me You are. And, yes, I need that at all times.
I bless You, oh God, who is not only worthy to receive continual praise, but who is the God who imparts every single time I come to You. Whether I feel it or not, setting my heart to continual praise, not only glorifies You but it changes me.
I praise You, oh God of exchange. I leave pessimism at Your feet and walk away, face shining with beauty. Even something directed wholly, fully unto You leaves me new-hearted. I receive when I pour out praise.
I praise You, oh God who has more character traits – more evidences of holy normal and holy abnormal – than I could ever cover in a lifetime of praise. I adore You, oh One who is the object of limitless adoration.
I adore You, God who changes my minute-by-minute with a simple word of praise, expressed. I adore You, God who changes the large brushstrokes of my life by calling me to look and simply speak back what I see.
I praise You, oh God of my vision.
**So what do I do with these posts, you ask, other than just read them? First, if you haven’t yet, read: Why I Adore to give you a context for this little space on my blog. (This post also gives context.)
If you are compelled, I invite you to participate. Set up a space and time in your own life to begin adoring. Over laundry or dinner dishes, on your commute to work, or in the wee morning hours — ten minutes is a great start. You can use the verse I list here every day or two as a launch pad for your own adoration.
Then practice praise.
Add to my adoration here, by posting a comment with your own words back to God about God …or hide it in your heart.
I promise your weary soul won’t regret it.
***You can easily subscribe to these devotional meditations as they are delivered, by using this feed: http://www.EveryBitterThingisSweet.com/posts/chai/feed or by entering your email address in the second box on the right-hand side… (scroll up a bit)
Additionally, all of the Morning Chai Posts can be seen, in the order of posting, by clicking here or adding this address to your reader: http://EveryBitterThingisSweet.com/posts/chai
