I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Psalm 9:1 KJV.
Context:
Once again, this is a song or psalm by David, a man after God's heart. He knew how to make God smile, as he was quick to praise him. He had many reasons to praise God, as is evident from the numerous psalms attributed to him. For me, what is my first and foremost consideration where God is concerned? Is it first about what I can get from him, or what I have come to know about him?
The natural man is given to rational thinking: we want to understand the reason why we should do whatever it is we are asked to do. We want to understand the WHY behind the WHAT, but with God, there are times when all you need to know is that God is who he is. I can know God from the things he does, but it seems that the only thing that lasts is that which is personal to me. That knowledge is all that is required to make me praise God. I do not need a big reason; I just need to know that God is all I need.
Message and Response:
I note that David had resolved in his heart to praise God, not because of what he could get, but because of his knowledge of who God is. For me, the question then is: why do I praise God? Do I even know him at all? Am I in it for what I can get out of it, or am I in it for what I can give back to God for all I have received from Him?
How easy it is to focus on what I do not have, and ignore all the great blessings I have received from God. The devil will have me focus on the things I lack, while ignoring the many other things I have been given. I do not see in today's extract anything of note that David had received, and for which he was praising God; can I do the same?
And he knew who he was praising. David called him Lord. What do you know about God? Do you know the one true God, or are you focused on the many other pretenders who call themselves gods? If it is not the genuine article, no amount of window dressing can turn the fake into the original. God wants to be known by all men, because he wants his praise to flow out of me without compulsion, and out of a heart that fully appreciates and understands who he is.
David's whole heart was fully committed; there was no room for hypocrisy or eye-service. If there is anything God has said he hates, it is double-mindedness. He would rather that I made up my mind to either serve him or reject him. There is no fence for this one; I am either all in or all out. We fool ourselves if we think we can get away with pretence; God is too wise to be deceived by outward show because as the creator of the heart, he knows all its hidden motives. I cannot fool God, so it is utter foolishness to even try.
And my life must be one that shows off the mighty and marvellous works of God. What is praise of God if he does not lead people to also know this God? As I praise God with my words, actions and interactions, I am making God known to the world around me. If men were to perceive the aroma of God from my life, pray, what kind of smell will my life give off? Is my life a public declaration of my personal walk with God or is there some hypocrisy I need to sort out first?
If David had not seen marvellous works, how would he have spoken about them? As God deals with me, he is building up capital. I am storing up treasures around my experiences of God, so that when men ask me, I can draw out of those experiences and make God known. My life is the canvas on which God's mighty art is revealed, and whatever it is that he writes on it becomes his message to the world through me. What is God saying to the world through me? Does he hold and own my heart in the first place? God will be glorified, whether I like it or not. He wants to use me, but I must cooperate with him so he can achieve all that he wants to do in and through me. Is my life a place and spring of Praise? His time of favour is here.
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