Investing in Praise to God

By: Pastor Jim Schoon

Key Passage- Psalm 9:1-2

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart. 

I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad

and rejoice in you; I will  sing praises

to your name, O Most High.”

On Sunday morning the “Call to Worship” was given by a young man who

welcomed us to worship with the inspirational passage from Psalm 9. It was a

wonderful way to enter worship, and it provides us with a way to celebrate God in

our lives today. Walk with me through these two verses as we reflect on David’s

approach to his life. There are 2 major thoughts involved.

The first is that David is intentional in his approach to God and life. In two short

verses he states 5 times that “I will: praise, tell, be glad, rejoice, and sing.” David

is so consumed about his awareness of God that he makes a conscious decision to

be intentional in his praise of God.

Secondly, David indicates he is “all in” as he says, “I will praise you, O Lord, with

all my heart.” The heart was the seat of thought, and David is saying that he was

going to engage God with his mind and memory. David was going to invest his

entire being in his focus on God’s “wonders” (marvelous and extraordinary works)

in his life.

As David recalled the marvelous works of God in his, he was brought to remember

who God really was…He was “God Most High.” This is a term that expresses

God’s superiority and majesty over all powers and created beings, and David was

recognizing God’s sovereignty and presence as he walked through life.

David faced some real challenges in his life as he went through some very

turbulent times. As he faced them, he depended on God to walk with him. We can

do the same today.

As you experience life, capture these 2 thoughts of David. Be intentional in your

recalling what God has done in your life. Also, be “all in” as you praise, sing, tell,

and rejoice with your entire being. Remember that God is in control of your life

and is present with you. As you do these things, you will be encouraged to know

that God is sovereign over all, and He is working wonders…in this very moment.

“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart…”

Prayer: Almighty and Everlasting God, I praise You for the wonderful works you

have done in my life. You have blessed me in many ways, and I can see your hand

in my life as I reflect. Give me faith to know you are with me today no matter

what I face. Yes, you are God Most High and I love you. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen.