Thanks and Praise

King David was a man that God could, and did, say was a man after God’s own heart.  Sometimes when we hear about David, and how God seemed to favor him, we tend to think that David was very special to God, much more than others.  But why did David have so much favor with God?  Was he a perfect man?  No, he was far from it.  

If you know anything about King David, you know that he sinned, even to the point that God’s wrath broke out on David and the people that he was put in charge of, not that the people were innocent either.  It wasn’t that David was any more loved by God than you or I, but we know David had a real desire for God and God who searches the heart knew this about King David.

When David was just a boy he was being prepared for the position that he held as King, ruling over the people of God.  David had a big part in the preparation even though he had no idea that he would be a King someday.  David was a shepherd boy and that helped him to prepare to be a shepherd over God’s people.  David was not only a successful King, but he played the harp well also and was one of the writers of Psalms.  In the Psalms David wrote, he was very transparent, baring his heart to God.  If he was struggling with an enemy, or whatever the case might be, he wrote about it and let everyone know about the way he felt.  David cried out to the Lord with a heart of despair at times, and also praise, thanksgiving and adoration.

Over the years these Psalms were put to music and people sang them.  Many of the Psalms are intense prayers, seeking God’s forgiveness and restoration.  Praise God, if we yield to sin we can repent and confess our sins and find forgiveness, and David knew that and even though he wasn’t always quick to repent, eventually he did and found forgiveness.  When the forgiveness came David knew how to praise and thank the Lord for it and he wasn’t afraid to express it in his Psalms.  By the way praise is recognizing, appreciating and expressing God’s greatness.

This is one of David’s appreciation Psalms for answered prayer, it is in Psalms 138:1-8:

“I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;

    I will sing your praises before the gods.

I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.

    I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;

for your promises are backed

    by all the honor of your name.

As soon as I pray, you answer me;

    you encourage me by giving me strength.

Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord,

    for all of them will hear your words.

Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways,

    for the glory of the Lord is very great.

Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble,

    but he keeps his distance from the proud.

Though I am surrounded by troubles,

    you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.

You reach out your hand,

    and the power of your right hand saves me.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life—

    for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.

    Don’t abandon me, for you made me.”

We should have a heart of thanks and appreciation for the Lord and not be ashamed to express it before others.  We should always thank God for answered prayers and also His material and spiritual blessings.  We have to be careful not to take God’s answered prayers and blessings for granted, and, if we ever expect our dreams and plans to come true, we must involve the Lord in them.  His plan for our lives is much more important than ours because He knows what is best for us.  May the Lord bless and keep you and may He cause His love to shine upon you and give you peace.  Have a super day!!