Just Do it

A well-known evangelist was giving a series of meetings in a local church. He met a young lady who eventually became his wife, but at first, she would have nothing to do with ‘religion.’ He tried to encourage her to come along to one of his meetings. “No. This is not for me,” she replied. “Come along anyway,” he persisted. She asked if he would be preaching? When he told her that he would be, she gave the same response. “No. I don’t think so.” Later he tried again: “Come along anyway. It’s not difficult. Just do it.”  Eventually she gave in and went to his meeting. It changed her life. It changed both their lives. They are now happily married.

Billy Bray was a miner and a drunkard who regularly beat his wife. Born in 1794, he was well known for his foul language and riotous behaviour. He was given a book about heaven and hell, which so convicted him, that he thought himself to be too wretched be saved, and could never be forgiven by God. He fell down on his knees one night and pleaded with God for mercy. He continued till daybreak. God heard his cry and his life was immediately transformed. From that moment he never stopped thanking and praising God. He said, “If they put me in a barrel I would shout ‘glory’ through the bunghole.” He devoted his life to Christ and became a renowned, yet unconventional, preacher and was known throughout Cornwall.

‘I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips’ (Psalm 34:1). We might not feel like it. We might not think we’re good enough. We might be burdened by sin. God knows about all that. Let’s praise Him anyway, and discover His grace and love. Just do it.

There is a power that is released when we begin to praise God in every situation, not just when things work out well, or when we’re feeling thankful towards Him, but at all times and in all places. As well as bringing to Him those circumstances that hurt us, let’s praise Him for who He is. ‘I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever’ (Psalm 145:1).

We don’t feel like it? Let’s do it anyway. Praise generates joy. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and the Spirit is of God. ‘The joy of the Lord is your strength’ (Nehemiah 8:10). When we praise God out of a deep love and faith in the One who has changed our own lives, and give Him praise for who He is and what He has done, a link is established in the heavenly realms that no one can break. Our praise towards Him is returned to us in blessing.

No questions, no doubts, no fear, just praise Him. Let’s do it.