If the answer to one of these questions is yes..., or the answer to all of these questions is no..., it's time to offer up a sacrifice of praise!
David was being hunted by King Saul. No matter where he went, no matter what he did, Saul wanted him D-E-A-D, dead! David is living his life on the run, one step in front of a madman and his army. Can you even imagine? Talk about your bad day!
How did David respond?
I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good. For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes. Psalm 54:6-7Think about that..., a freewill offering. When I was growing up and the Pastor said he was going to be taking up a "freewill offering", he expected everyone to reach for their wallets. Deuteronomy 16 tells us that a freewill offering during the Feast of Weeks was to be an offering that you gave in proportion to the blessings the Lord your God has given you.
Here David, in spite of his circumstances, was giving God a free will offering of PRAISE! Can you imagine offering up a praise offering in proportion to the blessings you've been given?
One thing I do know, whenever I take the focus off of my situation.., off of my most pressing circumstance and place it on my Lord, my perspective begins to change. It's like closing one eye and taking a half dollar and holding it in front of your open eye. That half dollar can capture your entire focus. But begin to pull that half dollar away, inch by inch, and it begins to diminish in size.
That's how it is when we shift our focus off of the ugliness of the day, off of the pain and hurt and begin praising the one who is worthy of our Praise! Like the old hymn says,
Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of His glory and grace.
4 comments:
Oh how I needed this today! Yesterday was a really bad day for me with an episode of extremely high blood pressure. Today I have been weak all day but PRAISE THE LORD I am getting back to normal! I had to lift my hands and praise Him as soon as I read your post. Praise Him for taking care of me. Praise Him for giving me such a great husband who takes care of me. Praise Him for friends who lifted me up in prayer during this time. Praise Him for people like you who write His message for me to read! Praise Him!
Marilyn
Wow what a thought, offering up a praise as big as the blessings we receive. The earth couldn't hold it!!! Now that's a praise!!
Have a Blessed evening,
Dawn
I have always loved that hymn...And the things of earth will grow strangely dim...Ah...thank you for this post and reminding me of where my focus needs to be.
Praying good things for you today!
Hi Lisa,
I have enjoyed reading what is on your heart. May God continue to bless you, Randy and Johnathan. We miss you a lot.
Bob and Nancy Burrus
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