Hannah Praises God

“There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God” (v. 2).
Some years ago, there were a number of people who were stricken with polio. One of these was a young mother of two by the name of Mar- lene. Some who contracted this disease were devastated and lived under a shadow of gloom throughout their lives. Marlene did not do so. She determined that she was going to continue to live her life for God, her family, and others. In time, she had seven more children and, with the help of a godly, loving husband, she pushed herself to live a productive life. There were times when she would sit on the floor and, dragging her body across the floor, scrub her floors to polished perfection. At an advanced age, she continues to be one of the most joyful Christian ladies you would ever meet.
Hannah certainly was such a woman who understood the priority of praise. God had turned her sorrow into singing and her tears into tri- umph. There are at least three significant things that happen when a man or woman praises God: Praise exalts God, it elevates our own spirit, and it provides an example to three worlds that our God is praise-worthy! Peo- ple who praise are truly a blessing to everyone around them. (Michael R. Williams)

Are you a member of the “Praise Committee”?

2018-07-04T09:00:31+00:00July 4th, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

Heaven – No More Tears

"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it" (v. 8)
In her book, Emotional Freedom, New York Times best-selling author Judith Orloff talks about the health benefits of tears. According to this doctor, our bodies produce three kinds of tears: reflex, continuous, and emotional. And each of them has unique, healing benefits. In fact, the good doctor says, "I've been this enthusiastic about crying for years." So why would God do away with something that medicine has found to be so beneficial?
First, let’s thank God for tears, even the emotional kind that seem to be in mind in our text verse. Most of us have experienced times that, without tears, we would simply have exploded like an overfilled balloon. But let us also notice that the purpose for which God gave us tears is for healing. Tears will be wiped away in heaven because our healing will be complete. We will be whole.
If you need to cry today, please do so! Anyone who looks down on you for crying has a bigger problem than you do! But as you experience the healing effects of tears, take a moment to bask in the thought that someday those tears will not be needed. We will be home and whole! (Gordon Snider)

"What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul." Jewish Proverb
In heaven, we will need neither!

This devotional is the Tuesday, August 16, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

2016-08-17T11:53:39+00:00August 17th, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: |0 Comments

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