19 April 2005 Devotion for Today "Rejoice in the Lord" Philippians 4:4

19 April 2005  Devotion for Today  “Rejoice in the Lord”  Philippians 4:4

 

            Major-league pitcher, Orel Hersheiser once appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Hersheiser is a committed Christian, and takes every opportunity to witness for Christ. Carson asked him how he managed to stay so cool and relaxed looking even in the World Series. He replied that he sang hymns and other Christian choruses he’d learned in Sunday School and church during the times he was on the bench, and in-between innings. When video footage was shown with Hersheiser sitting in the dugout of a game, his lips moving and he was sporting a big smile.  Carson asked him,  “What was that you were singing there?”  With that, Orel stood and sang -- on key -- "The Doxology" for Johnny Carson.  “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”  Carson sat there, speechless.  You could hear a pin drop in the audience.  Then someone rose to applause. Then another.  Then the entire room.  It was almost like revival broke out in that studio audience as Carson wiped a tear from his cheek.

            If you are that ready to praise God, you are on your road to joy! How can you get there from here? Good question! Paul says “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice!”  Philippians 4:4  Praise is-or should be- such a vital part of the believer’s life. Without praise- which is what rejoicing is- we are prey to depression, self- righteousness, and arrogance before God. Do you have any idea what praise- an attitude of praise does to those around us- much less for ourselves?  Praise is a matter of finding God’s hand print on everything that happens!  God’s word tells us in I Chronicles 20 that God inhabits the praise of His people.  In the presence of the Lord is the fullness of joy.”  What a statement.   Paul says, "Rejoice...rejoice!" There are no qualifiers in that sentence. It does not indicate we should rejoice just when things are good -- we must praise the Lord always!  Have a blessed day!

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

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