Give God the Praise

Psalm 34:1-3

English Standard Version (ESV)

 ^[a] Of David, when he ^(A)changed his behavior before ^(B)Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

34 I will bless the Lord ^(C)at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
² My soul ^(D)makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and ^(E)be glad.
³ Oh, ^(F)magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2034:%201%20-3&version=ESV)

As I looked at the references to the occasion that David is writing about, my Bible reference suggested that it came from I Samuel 21:13.  If this is true, it does not show us how wonderful and holy David is but how gracious and forgiving our Father is.

I Samuel 21:13 refers to a time when David found himself amongst the Philistines and became very nervous.  Rather than trusting the Lord he took it upon himself to become a fake.  He acted like a mad-man in order to be thrown out of the city by the King.  He was no longer seen as the strong man that he really was.  In essence, he lied.  Lying is something that we are told by God not to do.  Yet, God had the grace and the love to forgive David for not trusting him.  So often we make the mistake when we look at our Bible heroes to praise them rather than praising God.  It was God that prompted the king to send him on his way.  The king could have very easily said that he was unworthy of life and had him killed.  Yet God prompted him to let him go.

Ephesians 4:25

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁵ Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you ^(A)speak the truth with his neighbor, for ^(B)we are members one of another.

This verse encourages us to not be false, don’t fake it, there is absolutely nothing to fake,  if indeed you can say like the Psalmist,  34 “I will bless the Lord ^(C)at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”  Take note, this is not asking God to bless David but proclaiming that God is the One that deserves the blessing. 

As we live our lives we need to be cognizant of who our Savior is.  Once we have a clearer picture of Him we will no longer have to think that this world revolves around us and see that He is the One in whom our lives should revolve around.

As you seek Him today may you find that He is truly in control and that He deserves our continual faithfulness and adoration.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila