Psalms – Prayers of Honesty
We pulled together as a team to put on an event for students. We worked hard, in the hot sun, each day to provide rigorous activities so the attendees could enjoy learning, create friendships, and develop as caring humans. At the end of it all the commander came in to award those who worked hard. We appreciated his words until at the end of the speech he gave all the credit for the success of the program to his friends at the top, who didn’t do the actual work, only arrived on award day. How would that make you feel as sweat is pouring down your face? No so appreciated, right? It’s a good thing my motivation was not to please him but to foster learning in others in ways to please God.
As I read the first line of David’s prayer, I remember this one incident long ago and now wonder if that’s how God, Our Heavenly Father, feels when we boast of accomplishments that HE brought us through, helped us achieve while providing for every thing we needed to do it.
Mm. Give credit where credit is due…God and God alone!
Psalm 30, The MessageA David Psalm
I give you all the credit, God—
you got me out of that mess,
you didn’t let my foes gloat.
2-3 God, my God, I yelled for help
and you put me together.
God, you pulled me out of the grave,
gave me another chance at life
when I was down-and-out.
4-5 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God!
Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across
a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
give way to days of laughter.
6-7 When things were going great
I crowed, “I’ve got it made.
I’m God’s favorite.
He made me king of the mountain.”
Then you looked the other way
and I fell to pieces.
8-10 I called out to you, God;
I laid my case before you:
“Can you sell me for a profit when I’m dead?
auction me off at a cemetery yard sale?
When I’m ‘dust to dust’ my songs
and stories of you won’t sell.
So listen! and be kind!
Help me out of this!”
11-12 You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
and decked me with wildflowers.
I’m about to burst with song;
I can’t keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
I can’t thank you enough.
SOMETHING TO CHEW…
David knows exactly Who helps him to achieve anything of value and significance. God! Look at all the verbs in this passage: pulled me out, got me out, put me together, pulled me out of the grave, gave me another chance…”You did it, you changed lament into whirling dance.”
HEART CHECK:
Think of the last time you achieved something of significance…Who did you praise first? Who did you thank first? Did you receive the praise of others without mentioning the real Person who did this feat through you?
“I’m about to burst with song;
I can’t keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
I can’t thank you enough.”
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do in my life. It is all about You. Apart from you I can do nothing of significance. With You we can conquer the world in ways that will lead others to You. Yes, to YOU goes all the glory, honor and praise. I cannot thank you enough, either!
In Jesus Name, Amen.
