We live in a society that has gone crazy over exercising. Health clubs and gyms have mushroomed all over the country. Jogging is a new national pastime. Books on dieting can be found everywhere. This trend is certainly a positive one since a healthy body will help us live longer. As Christians we also should take care of our earthly bodies since they are temples of the Holy Spirit.
But did you know that praise can be a form of physical exercise? Just as swimming and walking are good exercises that help stimulate our hearts, praise is also a good way to get not only our spirits moving but our hearts. Perhaps you have never viewed the Book of Psalms as a physical workout book but as we focus on some of its verses I think you will agree that real praise is not only good for the soul but for the body.
While spending time praising our Lord is certainly to be used as a spiritual experience and act of worship, there is nothing wrong in focusing now on one of its side benefits.
If you are looking to expand your lung capacity then why not try praising the Lord through playing the trumpet. (Psalm 150:3) tell us to: “Praise Him with trumpet sound…”
Or perhaps you want to strengthen your hand grip. A good way to accomplish this is to: “Praise Him with timbrel…” (Psalm 150:4).
If you need to sharpen your hand-eye coordination skills why not: “…Praise Him with stringed instruments…” (Psalm 150:4).
And a perfect way to lose your unnecessary pounds is to: “…praise His name with dancing…” (Psalm 149:3).
If you need to improve your blood circulation then why not follow the advice of the psalmist: “…I will lift up my hands in Thy name.” (Psalm 63:4).
And in order to loosen up those stiff back muscles and strengthen those weak knees why not: “Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” (Psalm 95:6).
The next time you feel like working up a good old-fashioned sweat why not listen to the psalmist and: “O clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy.” (Psalm 47:1).
Finally, if you feel you are beginning to lose the spring in you body and joints perhaps you may want to follow the lead of the lame man who sat at the temple gate in Acts 3. When Peter and John performed their miraculous act of healing on this man by allowing him to walk, we see how he praised the Lord: “And with a leap, he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” (Acts 3:8). Leaping can help add that needed spring to those tired bones.
Praising the Lord is a wonderful way to nurture the spirit within you as well as provide that same spirit a healthier home to live in while you dwell here on planet Earth.