Express!

Express!

I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Psalm 9:1 KJV

The Charge:

David writes the words of this psalm, and this is one where no context for the psalm is given, or anything said about a problem that David had, but just a simple statement that this is by David. We know David as the one that God called 's man after my own heart'. What could David have done to get this description? Close to the top of the list would be David's life of constant praise and thanksgiving to God. He would do so in the morning, afternoon and evening, and would also do so even in some of the most distressing circumstances. Even when he committed adultery, his repentance involved praising God. In the far, quiet places in the desert, where he had only his father's sheep for company, he would still praise God. That is sheer commitment.

God has not changed, even long before the days of David. He does not need approval from me for him to be God, but my life could use a lot of the things God is and has. The key to access all that God is and has is praise. For man, it is difficult to know when praise is genuine, yet men will give anything to be appreciated by other men. For God, he inhabits the praise of his people, but let no man be deceived into thinking that you can hold God to ransom by only praising him when he does something for you. Yes, that is easy, but the essence of total surrender to God is that no matter what comes my way, my life must be a daily display and outflow of praise and appreciation for all that God is. Does this describe me in any way? Is praise part of my daily lifestyle choices, or do I need to be cajoled to do so? 

The Conclusion:

It must be noted that if I am to be compelled, there may be no blessing attached. The whole of my heart must be involved, because that is proof that I know who God is. If my heart is not fully in it, that is hypocrisy. By praise, I show off God's grace in all its fullness. I cannot live a life of praise and not announce God to the world. The world needs new inspiration and direction, and only a life of praise, in the face of distressing circumstances, will speak loud and clear for the world to hear. For David, his commitment was clear, and for me, it also has to be. I can't focus on all I don't have yet, but must pay attention to who God is and what he has freely given me. What I have in God is greater than all of the world's treasure, which will all fade with time. That which God is endures; he deserves all my praise. God's time of favour is here.