Psalms 28:5-7 KJV

(5)  Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
(6)  Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
(7)  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Where there is a trusting heart, there is a rejoicing one, and where the works of the Lord are regarded in praise, there is not only escape from destruction, but also building up from the Lord.

Several years ago there was a businessman that chose to run on an independent ticket for the presidency. He was a very short man with a bit of an odd appearance that might be considered unattractive, and an annoying, nasally voice. At first sight and sound he definitely, at least for me, didn’t provide an impression that would make me want to trust him to clean my car, let alone lead my country. It wasn’t until you began to be interested in what he had already managed to accomplish that this impression could be altered. He had been very successful at running his companies and had developed some strong opinions of how the country should be run, but his biggest challenge was getting people to be impressed enough with those things to get past his appearance. He did manage to do this for a large number of people, however- those that most regarded his accomplishments and embraced him as their candidate. Most people, on the other hand, weren’t familiar enough with his qualifications or else didn’t really understand or relate to them. Their hearts were never turned by who he really was.

All right, I know God isn’t a small little man with a squeaky voice, but there is an issue, it seems, today with acknowledging His works and allowing this to affect the condition of the heart. For some it may be their perception has been a bit skewed by what they’ve seen in one of His followers, while others may have a difficult time with resolving circumstances regarding His existence. Some have just never even heard the news of the gospel. For those of us, though, who have tasted of His goodness and heard of His incredible works, there is no reason for anything other than a heart that is rejoicing and a resulting song of praise. Even in the direst of circumstances there will be more than enough reason for the heart to defy their normal response by rejoicing, if it will but spend some time regarding the incredible greatness of our God. Where the heart is overwhelmed, though, and oppression has set in, the inferior deeds and abilities of the frightening or challenging opposition must have gained precedence in praise. The mouth will have given more time and focus to regarding the wicked and their deeds than the far greater resume of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Today is a day of victory, preservation and building up in the presence of the Lord. Where He’s regarded and praise occupies the mouth this will most certainly be the case. If anything other than this victory starts to raise its little ugly head with a squeaky little voice, disregarding it and displacing it with regard for the Almighty will return the heart once again to the much preferred state of rejoicing and encouragement. Why even acknowledge the inferior?  He is great and greatly to be praised.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 at 6:19 am and is filed under Beholding God, Boasting, Confidence, Consolation, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Praise, Remember. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.