When I was a little girl and did something that I knew would displease my parents, I tried to avoid them so they wouldn’t see the guilt on my face (I could never hide what I was feeling…). Those times of hiding away were awful because I loved my mom and dad, and I wanted to be with them. Conversely, when I obeyed and behaved appropriately, I had no reason to try to escape their presence. That was the joyful time for me. Praise sings through our hearts when we are in right relationship with God. We’re in right relationship with God when our conscience is clear. Our conscience is clear when we’ve learned to follow His ways instead of striving to please self. Do you see how it comes around? Praise springs from an upright heart that is committed to seeking His ways.
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