Knowing When…

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!
Psalms 34:1-3

Many Bible versions carry an introduction to Psalm 34, similar to this: “A psalm of DAvid when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away and he departed.”  How many of us could act deranged, as David did? I would think it would be hard to carry out. But David had the forethought to act crazy and get out of his precarious situation. We may think that we would not be creative enough to get out of dangerous situations but we all are. We have lived life enough and have friends whom we have watched get themselves out of trouble.

David talks about blessing the Lord and praising Him. What does that look like to you? Do you think you can do it? It takes practice and conscious thought which will turn into unconscious actions. Speaking scripture, praying, especially when someone enters your thoughts, and relying on the Holy Spirit, our Helper, will enable us to pray and praise continually. If you are like me, you get started and then forget. Do not be discouraged. God understands and is waiting patiently for us. Practice, Practice, Practice.

“My soul makes its boast in the Lord” (verse 2). Have you had a miracle in your life? Each of us have circumstances in our lives that could have broken others. But because of our faith in our Lord, we have overcome. We have turned from victim to survivor! We can boast in our Lord, for He has been faithful to place people in our lives to lift us out of that pit. However, if you are currently in a time of testing or trial, keep your eyes fixed and focused on God. As Psalm 46:1 states: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  Know, feel God’s Presence, seek Him when you become desperate. The Bible records in several different books the words of God assuring us He will never leave us. In the Old Testament, when encouraging Moses, God assured him he would not be alone (Deuteronomy 31:5-7). When Joshua took over after Moses died, God assured him that He would be with Joshua just as he was with Moses. (Joshua 1:5). And in the New Testament, Paul reminds us to keep ourselves free from the love of money and to be content with what we have because of God’s promise in Deuteronomy (Hebrews 13:4-6).

Corporate worship. We can receive the joy of the Lord when we praise and worship Him by ourselves. But there are times when we are to share our joy and become encouraged by participating in worship as a group with like-minded people. Philippians 2:1-3 says:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.

Coming together to worship and praise allows opportunities to fellowship with each other. Often we get stuck in our own world and tend to not see others who are suffering and who need a caring touch, an encouraging word, or just a smile. Today, find that person. Even one who appears odd. Show them God’s love a few times and see if their demeanor changes. They may be odd because of walls placed to shield them after years of hurt, disappointment, and resentment. Who knows, you may be their angel.

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Father, help us to be more like Your servant David. Allow the Holy Spirit to show us areas to shine in others lives and where we need to let Your light shine in us! Help us to leave our pain, resentment, disappointment, any negative thought at the foot of the Cross where Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be free. Thank You for loving us and grafting us into Your family. We love You and praise Your name today and forever more!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!!!!

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