Why Praise?

The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted! Psalm 18:46 

same*vs repeated in 2 Samuel 22:47

Amazingly, whether David was at a high or low point in his life, he stopped to praise God and gave thanks.  His example is so powerful!  He experienced dimensions of joy and grief that may or may never touch our lives, but somehow his praise to God is still relatable. The same feelings of being overwhelmed, surrounded, and at the mercy of our enemies – even when our “enemies” come in all kinds of forms existing today.

Praising God can mean simply speaking the truths we know about Him. Interestingly, Samuel 22:31-51 is a replica of Psalm 18 (a song of praise to God).  That really emphasizes the significance of praise! Praising and thanking Him for what He has done in our lives can help us to think about “what is true,” the apostle Paul says will help us have peace as he says in Philippians 4:8.  But, it can also change our hearts and lives as we pay close attention to what God does for us on a daily basis.

A lot happened to David in his life.  He went from being a shepherd to God’s anointed king! He loved God and wrote some of the deepest Psalms we cherish today, but he struggled with sins that devastated his family and his entire kingdom.  He was adored by his people, yet his own son undermined him and took control of his kingdom for a while.  We can all identify with some of David’s challenges since we live in the same world where the enemy targets us to try and frustrate our efforts. But one thing is sure for our victory, “Praise”! It will frustrate the enemy’s efforts during the times he tries to bring discouragement.  It disturbs, hinders and confuses the enemy, especially when he has you surrounded with seemingly no way out according to him!

Dear Lord, Thank you for being my Rock, Fortress and Savior and my God in whom I find protection in my life.  Amen

Reflect:

Consider sharing what you are thankful for with some one today either by text, a song, call or in person especially one who might be going through a hard time.

Meditate on: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” Psalm 18:2