I will praise you in the great assembly;
I will exalt you among many people.
Psalm 35:18
Observation: As the psalmist (David) laments the behavior of other - he declares how wrong they have been, treating him poorly when he has cared about them, strangers even 'piling on' when others accuse him of mistakes, taking advantage of his small errors, and repaying his goodness with evil - he ends with praise to the Lord. Even though he is wishing the Lord would act in the circumstance created by others, the bottom line is that the Lord is to be exalted, and will be exalted, publicly and privately.
Application: When I read this passage, I am so quick to jump on the issue with David, declaring who wrong the people are for acting this way. I have been in this situation. I have cared for others, sad at their sadness, trying my very best to do everything for their good, only to have some of them lash out and attack me ... and then for others with no cause or reason to just jump in as well. The lies and stories, the attacks and exaggerations, turn mole hills into mountains, and they do it just because they can, and because the evil one influences them. Yes, I am quick to put myself into David's situation.
Well, then I better also be quick - quicker! - in praising the Lord!! I better exalt the Lord before all the people, and praise him before the great assembly. I must stand and sing and praise and dance, telling everyone about how great the Lord has been to me, how faithful his love has been, how merciful his grace has been despite my failures. For this is the REAL story. What happened to me is nothing ... it is meaningless, smoke on a windy day, a vaper, already gone mere moments after it existed ... but what the Lord does for me every day, and what he has done for me my entire life, is eternally everything.
I praise the Lord! I will exalt him forever. May I do so more and more before others. I wish to no longer think upon the events of the past, but when I do I will praise the Lord for his kindness and love and mercy upon me. His blessings truly do renew every day, while the evil of this world is just memories I can choose to ignore.
Prayer: Lord, I praise you today! Your love is so wonderful. May I always put every issue of this world and of my life in the context of your love, for all else becomes meaningless when I do. Thank you. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment