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Listen while you read: "Praise To The Lord The Almighty"1 (Lyrics) |
Psalm 26:8 – I love the house where you live, O Lord, the place where your glory dwells. (NIV)
Dalton's mother tells me that he rises at 6 a.m. on Sunday mornings, and then awakens his whole family for church. She says, "He loves going to church, and can't wait to get there."
At the first notes the pianist plays, Dalton jumps to his feet, dances, claps, and makes a joyful noise. Being autistic, the preteen rarely speaks and doesn't sing, so he thumps the seat and hugs his mom. He shoots sunshine smiles my way. When I return his smile, he ducks his head and studies his hands as colour tiptoes across his cheeks. When the offering is made, he helps to collect it. Since Dalton's body is a whole lot older than his mind, his worship is marked by the abandon of a little child. He revels in God's presence, sensing the Lord in ways that we staid adults seldom do. I admire him because social constraints don't limit his worship, something that King David understood very well as he danced before the Ark of the Covenant on its way to Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 6:14 – David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might. (NIV)
God gladly received King David's praises, even if his queen didn't think that the way he worshipped God befitted a man of his social stature. Indeed, his attire was socially incorrect for a king.
These days, I'm certain that God receives Dalton's non-verbal praises as he worships like the little child of God that he truly is.
Matthew 19:14 – Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (NIV)
Jesus welcomed little children, using them as examples of what worship should be — that is, unfettered, total adoration of God, untainted by social restraints and expectations. Pure worship praises God and focuses upon Him alone. God never inhibits the worship of His people; He inhabits their praises.
Like Dalton, our worship lifts our hearts and souls into His presence without constraint. Like King David, let us abandon our inhibitions and lift our focus to God, praising Him with everything that is in us.
Prayer: Father God, we worship and adore You for Who You are. We praise You for Your Holy Spirit and for Jesus Christ our Lord, in Whose name, we pray. Amen.
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Thanks for portraying Dalton so lovingly.
Beautiful story, Cass, and great application.
Once again a very inspirational devotion. Thank you Sandy.
Blessings.
Good morning Cassandra,
I like your inspirational story.
Thank you.
Thank you for you uplifting devotion. I have missed your devotionals.
You touch me with your witness more than you will ever know. May our Lord continue to bless and inspire you as you serve HIM.
(Texas)
Very touching Cass,
Thank you for sharing.
Dalton, our son, and all other autistic children belong to the Lord.
Praise God they are under His wings.
Many Blessings.
Cass, your devotional was very meaningful to me as the mother of an autistic child. Thanks for writing. Blessings.
Hi Cass,
I really admire your attitude towards the joy of someone with autism worshipping with abandon. Sadly, I don’t think many feel as you do. There is a lady that I occasionally hear singing hymns in the shower room at the gym where I workout. Her choice of songs reminds all of us in there to remember our prayers. She has a lovely voice and sings like no one else is in there. It is beautiful and at the same time it is strange to hear a beautiful childlike voice coming from a mature person. Keep on lifting us up with your beautiful messages!
Blessings.