Psalms 28:1-9 NIV [1] To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit. [2] Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. [3] Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. [4] Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve. [5] Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again. [6] Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. [7] The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. [8] The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. [9] Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Many of us will gather around a table, with family and friends, this season to celebrate, give thanks, and enjoy our favorite foods. Some will spend hours in the kitchen and others spend hours traveling to see relatives. But there will be others who won’t feel much like celebrating. Instead of a table full of foods, some will see scarcity. Instead of being around friends and family they will see empty chairs. While people will be rejoicing in all God has done, others may think about what used to be and question why if God was so good why He would allow this painful season.
In verse 7 of Psalm 28 David said “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” We often turn to this verse of scripture when things are not going the way that we would like it. We quote it hoping that it will fill us with joy, praise and thanksgiving. However, if we take this verse alone and out of context, we will miss a powerful truth about praise and thanksgiving and its greater purpose in our lives.
Look back at the beginning of the Psalm the first verse. It says “To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.” That sounds like he is ready to give up. Later on, he asks God to punish those who had done him wrong. Here’s what he said in verse 4; “Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.” But then he shifted almost immediately to praise and thanksgiving in verses 6 and 7;” Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. [7] The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. [7] The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
This entire Psalm offers hope to us, both in times of plenty and in times when hopelessness threatens to steal our joy. God is always, always faithful.
You may be experiencing your own difficult season right now. You may think that it is much easier to proclaim God’s faithfulness when everybody is healthy, the chairs are filled, and there is food on the table. But here’s my point, praise and thanksgiving are choices we make. We’ve enjoyed seasons when we felt God’s blessings showering down on us but if those good times are a distant memory for you right now. Remember that God was faithful during the good times, and He is faithful now. So, let’s choose praise. Let’s choose thanksgiving.
Many of us will gather around a table, with family and friends, this season to celebrate, give thanks, and enjoy our favorite foods. Some will spend hours in the kitchen and others spend hours traveling to see relatives. But there will be others who won’t feel much like celebrating. Instead of a table full of foods, some will see scarcity. Instead of being around friends and family they will see empty chairs. While people will be rejoicing in all God has done, others may think about what used to be and question why if God was so good why He would allow this painful season.
In verse 7 of Psalm 28 David said “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” We often turn to this verse of scripture when things are not going the way that we would like it. We quote it hoping that it will fill us with joy, praise and thanksgiving. However, if we take this verse alone and out of context, we will miss a powerful truth about praise and thanksgiving and its greater purpose in our lives.
Look back at the beginning of the Psalm the first verse. It says “To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.” That sounds like he is ready to give up. Later on, he asks God to punish those who had done him wrong. Here’s what he said in verse 4; “Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.” But then he shifted almost immediately to praise and thanksgiving in verses 6 and 7;” Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. [7] The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. [7] The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
This entire Psalm offers hope to us, both in times of plenty and in times when hopelessness threatens to steal our joy. God is always, always faithful.
You may be experiencing your own difficult season right now. You may think that it is much easier to proclaim God’s faithfulness when everybody is healthy, the chairs are filled, and there is food on the table. But here’s my point, praise and thanksgiving are choices we make. We’ve enjoyed seasons when we felt God’s blessings showering down on us but if those good times are a distant memory for you right now. Remember that God was faithful during the good times, and He is faithful now. So, let’s choose praise. Let’s choose thanksgiving.
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