Praise Gives Requests a Context

Scripture:
My heart is confident, God;
I will sing; I will sing praises
with the whole of my being.
Wake up, harp and lyre!
I will wake up the dawn.
I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the nations.
For Your faithful love is higher than the heavens,
and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
God, be exalted above the heavens,
and let Your glory be over the whole earth.
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Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
God, haven’t You rejected us?
God, You do not march out with our armies.
Give us aid against the foe,
for human help is worthless.
With God we will perform valiantly;
He will trample our foes.
Psalm 108:1-5,10-13

Observation: David begins this psalm by declaring his confidence in God. He declares praises and song, lifting up the Lord in music and praise and declaring his greatness over the entire earth and all of heaven. Then David cuts to the chase ... his army is on the move, it is not doing well, and needs God's help to be victorious.

In other words, David enthusiastically testifies as to the greatness of God and how he is willing to shout praise and song from dawn to dusk every day, and then David lays his petition at God's feet, wondering why they are not doing well and why God has not joined with his army in defeating his foe, and asking for assistance.

Application: If I have a relationship with God - not just a faith in the Lord, but a relationship - then I wouldn't ask for favors as a first communication. I would greet God, discuss life, praise him for his creation, comment on the splendor of life and the earth. Then, if I had a petition to bring, I would do so, in the context of trusting now in his greatness.

If I am a man after God's heart, certainly David should be my example.

Prayer: Lord, your love indeed reaches to the heaven, and your faithfulness reaches to the sky. I will lift my voice to worship you my king! May today I find my strength in the shadow of your wings. You have given me favor and protection. You have shown me great connection with several people when I have felt alone. I thank you and praise you for your faithfulness. May I return that to others, in your name and by your grace, this day. Amen.