GIVE HIM PRAISE!
Many years ago my mother was hospitalized because of heart problems plus numerous other health issues. Being an RN, back then I was allowed to care for her while I was with her. However, I had just started a new job and did not have any sick or vacation time on the books. Soon I had to leave Mom and return to the city where we were living to go back to work.
My next day on the job, I was blue. Mom was over two hours away and I didn't know if she would live or die. Worse, I couldn't be with her to help her in any way possible. My heart was crying!
I went into the staff restroom just to be alone for a moment. The minute I closed the door, the Holy Spirit spoke to me.
"Look back over your life. Haven't I brought you through many trials and hard times?"
"Yes, Lord," I replied.
"Can you praise Me now for what I have done for you and to where I have brought you?"
"Yes, Lord, I do praise You right now."
"Well, then, will you praise Me now for what I am going to do?"
At that moment I didn't know if Mom would live or die, but I was willing to praise God regardless!
"Yes, Lord," I confessed. "I do praise You for what you are going to do."
I left that restroom with peace in my heart! Praise had calmed the storm in my heart!
My mother was 54 years old when that happened. She lived to be 29 days short of her 93rd birthday! She had her health ups and downs, but God wonderfully touched her body and gave her many more good days to be the blessing to me and others that she was!
Praise is a marvelous gift God has given to us. His word says He inhabits praise. At the lowest times in our life, when everything seems to be collapsing and decaying, praise needs to come from our lips and our hearts to the One, the only One to whom it is due. He is worthy! He is mighty! He is God!
Don't look at the circumstances around you. Lift your eyes and look to Him! Praise Him for all His mighty works! Praise Him now before you see the end results. That is FAITH in action. Faith pleases God. Please Him today! Give Him praise!