Sunday, February 12, 2012

SOAP 02/12/2012; Psalm 13:6

Today's reading: Leviticus 18,19; Psalms 13; Acts 19

S)"6 I will sing to the LORD,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me"

Psalm 13:6 (NASB)

O) King David was a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) and as such, he is the best example of a lifetime and lifestyle of worshiping the LORD. He spent the first 4 verses of this Psalm voicing his anxiety about whether or not the LORD would rescue him this time. But in verse 5, he reflects on God's goodness to him, and how He has saved him. Finally, in the last verse, he determines he will sing to the LORD, not because he is all of a sudden sure that God will save him again this time, but because He has already dealt bountifully with David.

A) It's easy to praise and worship the LORD when He has just delivered me from a struggle. When He has just provided a miracle to save me, it's not usually that hard to offer thanksgiving and glory to God. The hard time is when I am in the middle of a trial. The other tricky part, is that often I am worshiping God as an investment, looking for Him to save me again. Now, there is some merit to giving the LORD my sacrifice of praise, my worship, as an offering to appeal for His salvation. Even better, though, is for me to worship Him with the determination that He is good and worthy of my devotion, even if He chooses not to save me from my present struggle. To say, "I will worship You for the salvation already given, even if this present trial brings me to the grave." I need to make it a habit, a lifestyle, to worship, praise, and honor God for the victories He has already given, so when struggles come, my mind is already on His salvation.

P) Father, You are so good to me! You give mercy and grace to the undeserving, and Your love never fails. Forgive me for sub-par worship. Change my heart and let me worship You for what You have already done, and not only hoping for another saving grace. Holy Spirit, remind me of all that the Father has already given me. Bring it to mind continually, so that my instinct is to reflect on His goodness when I face difficulties. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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