Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:17

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)


God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 17: Provides Life

Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word. Psalm 119:17

Deal bountifully: benefit or requite; to ripen; to render good

With: according to

Servant: bondservant

Live: nourish up, to keep alive

Keep: guard; to protect, attend to, observe

Your Word: advice, thing about which one speaks

Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word [treasuring it and being guided by it day by day]. Psalm 119:17 (AMP)

That I may live - The continuance of life was dependent on the favor of God.

And keep thy word - For grace to do this he was equally dependent on God; and he asked that life might be continued, in order that he might honor the word of God by obeying it. (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible) 

Too often this is our prayer when we are in difficult circumstances— "Lord save me and I'll live a better life." Yet, once the circumstances is past, we soon forget our problems and our promise. 

This plea of asking favor from God has a specific purpose — that I might live a life in accordance with God's Word. A result of God's goodness and grace is a life that works to protect and carry out all that God requires. 

God's Word does provide life — if one makes a choice to know it and live it. 

Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:8

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....
vs. 7, 8: Provides Results

I will keep Your statutes; oh, do not forsake me utterly! Psalm 119:8

Will Keep: observe, celebrate, of other obligations
Statutes: something prescribed or owed
Forsake: leave destitute
Not: never, no, nor
(Very) utterly: up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly; as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space, or time (during, while, until) or degree

O forsake me not utterly - Hebrew, “To very much;” so as to leave me to myself. His confidence that he would keep the commandments of God was based on the prayer that God would not leave him. There is no other ground of persuasion that we shall be able to keep the commandments of God than that which rests on the belief and the hope that He will not leave us. (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible)

Since God will not forsake or leave, then we with all confidence should continue to observe His Word.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

God keeps His promises. He is faithful. He will not forsake us. That does not mean that we won't have difficulties, or heartache. Rather that God will continue to love us through those times. No matter what happens, God is still God. 

Because God is God, He is not only trustworthy, but He is faithful. Therefore, I will continue to observe and fulfill any obligations honoring God Almighty and remaining faithful to Him. 

God will not forsake me – for one day I will enjoy Him in all His glory in Heaven for all eternity! And that is a gift He gives to all, paid for by the sacrifice of His own Son. (John 3)

Thanks Living: Take Notice!

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. Psalm 5:11 (NKJV) 

But let those who run to You for safety be glad they did; let them break out in joyful song. May You keep them safe—their love for You resounding in their hearts. Psalm 5:11 (VOICE)

Rejoice: to brighten up

Trust: have hope, make refuge, confide in

Ever: continuance, duration

Shout for joy: (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph

Defend: to entwine as a screen; to fence in, protect, hedge in

Love: beloved like, friend

Name: by implication honor, authority, character

Joyful: jubilant, rejoice, triumph

Take Notice! 

Notice where my trust is to be placed—in You (God Almighty). 

Notice why I am to shout for joy—because God protects me.

Notice how long I'm to shout—continually (because God is faithful).

Notice who I am to love—God because of his authority, character, simply because of who God is. 

Notice the reason for my joy—God Himself. 

Thanks Living is all based and centered on God Himself. No matter my circumstances. No matter my questions. No matter if I understand or not. It all is dependent on God, who is faithful, unchanging, loving, and in complete control. 

Thanks Living—Take Notice! 

Thanks Living: The Four "P"s.

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Psalm 18:49

Give thanks: confess (originally acknowledge)

Among the heathen: in the sense of the masses

Sing praises: to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and music
Name: an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority

Will I. 
That's personal. 

Among the masses. 
That's public. 

Give thanks/Sing praises.
That's purpose.

Unto Thee, Thy Name.
That's proper. 

Thanks Living is first personal. I have to do it. 
Thanks Living is to be public. I'm to be thanking and praising God so that others learn about how awesome my God is.
Thanks Living is to be purposeful. I'm to be giving thanks and praising God—no matter my circumstances or situation. Remember God does not change! 
Thanks Living is proper. It's the right thing to do. God is to be thanked and praised, because He is God Almighty! 

Thanks Living: Big Picture & Parts

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Everything: "each, every" means "all" in the sense of "each (every) part that applies." The emphasis of the total picture then is on "one piece at a time."

Give thanks: literally, "thankful for God's good grace"; to be grateful
For: indeed (a conjunc. used to express cause, explanation, inference or continuation)

Will: what one wishes or has determined shall be done (i. e. objectively, thing willed)

God: the Creator and owner of all things

In: "in the realm (sphere) of," as in the condition (state) in which something operates from the inside (within).

Christ Jesus: "the Anointed One," the Christ (Hebrew, "Messiah"); the incarnate, eternal Son of God

For: of reference or relation; with respect to, in reference to; as regards

You: the person pronoun

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. (This is God’s will for all of you in Jesus the Anointed.) (VOICE)Be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. (GNT)And give thanks ·whatever happens [in all circumstances; in everything]. That is ·what God wants [God’s will] for you in Christ Jesus. (EXB)In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (AMP)

Everything. The big picture. Each and every part. 

The big picture. As we live our daily lives, we are so focused on the here and now, the small piece that concerns us this very moment, that we lose sight of the big picture. We lose perspective on what God is doing. 

The word "everything" in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encompasses each individual part and the big picture. We are to give thanks, for the details that are taking place as God creates the entirety of His will. 

Everything. The little details which we overlook. The little blessings God sends, but we are too busy trying to figure out the big picture, we miss them. The daily everyday routines and tasks that are viewed an unimportant and mundane, but are actually necessary in view of the big picture. 

Give thanks.

Thankful for God's good grace. Simply thankful, grateful, for God and His grace upon our lives.

Grateful: feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness.

Will of God.

The Creator of all, has a specific plan for each of us. So often we say, "If only I know what God wants me do to." or "What is God's will for my life?" 

The verse tells us specifically—be grateful for everything—it's what God wants you to do! Be Thankful! 

"Thanks Living" must begin with being grateful for God and His grace toward me. And if I am truly grateful and realize that God is the Creator and owner of all things—then I will be thankful for each and every part of the big picture, knowing that this is what God wants for me. Thanks Living is God's will and it begins now no matter the circumstance, no matter place, no matter..... give thanks.

Rejoice

[Even] now I rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church. Colossians 1:24 (AMP)

Rejoice in the midst of my sufferings.

As we read the Apostle Paul's writings, we know that he suffered much. Paul is writing Colossians from prison. We know from Acts 16:25 that even while in Prison, Paul was rejoicing:

"But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the [other] prisoners were listening to them" (AMP). 

Rejoice. 

Lately, God has been blessing me abundantly, so it's been easy to rejoice. When things are going well, we have no problem being happy and singing. 

But when things don't go as we had planned, or it gets hard, or "bad things" happen—then it is MUCH harder to rejoice. 

But rejoicing isn't to be based on circumstances

or how we feel, or if we are happy.

Rejoicing is to be based on

WHO we know—God Almighty! 

God—does not change. God loves us. We may not "feel loved" or understand why we must go through situations or endure pain, but that DOES NOT change the FACT that God is God. 

"Oh, you are just saying to rejoice because things are going well for you." 

Even though God is blessing me, I still live in chronic pain and have a chronic headache. Life is "not easy" for me. But in the midst of my suffering, I know that God in His grace and mercy has a plan to accomplish His purpose. I may not understand the 'whys', but I know that I can trust God. 

Rejoice. 

How do I rejoice during the good times and bad times? It begins with being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG). For when I know that God is working, and He is in control and He loves me—then I can rejoice because of HIM! 

My Praise Songs Echo

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 30. Here is what I learned.

What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit (the grave)? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth and faithfulness to men? Psalm 30:9 (AMP)

I said, “What ·good will it do if I die [profit is there for you in my blood]  or if I go down to ·the grave [corruption; destruction]? Dust cannot [Will the dust…?] ·praise [thank] you; ·it cannot [will it…?] speak about your ·truth [faithfulness]. Psalm 30:9 (EXB)

“I’m no good to You dead! What benefits come from my rotting corpse? My body in the grave will not praise You. No songs will rise up from the dust of my bones. From dust comes no proclamation of Your faithfulness. Psalm 30:9 (VOICE)

“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. Psalm 30:9 (MSG)

David is pleading his case, that if he dies, he will no longer be around to give praise to God for His faithfulness. 

As I read Psalm 30:9, the first thing that came to my mind, is ”would there be a difference if I die?” Meaning, am I praising God NOW? Am I singing songs of praise to God, so that someone would notice if they stopped? 

Often when we are in a bad situation, we cry out to God and then once the situation turns a good one, we briefly praise God. Then we ignore God until we find ourselves in trouble once again. 

Praising God is to be done continually. It’s not based on what He’d done, but WHO He is. Our circumstance does not alter the fact that God is to be praised. 

Back to Psalm 30:9, if I’m silent now, when I die there will only be continued silence—nothing different. Yet, if I’m busy praising God each and every day, when I die my songs will be silenced, but I think that the sound of my praise songs will linger for a bit. 

To create a positive day, I need to let the sound of my praise songs echo of God’s goodness.

His Decisions can be Trusted

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 33. Here is what I learned.

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nought; He makes the thoughts and plans of the peoples of no effect. Psalm 33:10 (AMP)

The Lord ·upsets [frustrates] the ·plans [counsels] of nations; he ·ruins [foils] ·all their plans [the plans of the peoples]. Psalm 33:10 (EXB)

The cause of God is never in danger: infernal craft is outwitted by infinite wisdom, and Satanic malice held in check by boundless power. The Treasury of David

I’m a planner. I like to think through every aspect before I make a decision. However, I’ve learned that no matter how much I plan... there are always unknowns, or changes in circumstances for which I cannot take into account as I plan. 

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)! For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts, or who has [ever] been His counselor? Romans 11:33-34 (AMP)

When God changes my plans, I need to remember that although I may not understand why, His decisions are to be trusted! 

To create a positive day, I need to accept God’s plans, knowing that because of God’s wisdom His decisions can be trusted. 

He is Greater

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 150. Here is what I learned.

Hallelujah!

Praise God in his holy place. Praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his mighty acts. Praise him for his immense greatness. Praise him with sounds from horns. Praise him with harps and lyres. Praise him with tambourines and dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes. Praise him with loud cymbals. Praise him with crashing cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

Hallelujah! Psalm 150 (GW)

The first and last of the Psalms have both the same number of verses, are both short and very memorable; but the scope of them is very different; the first Psalm is an elaborate instruction in our duty, to prepare us for the comforts of our devotion; this is all rapture and transport, and perhaps was penned on purpose to be the conclusion of those sacred songs, to, show what is the design of them all, and that is, to assist us in praising God. Matthew Henry

What a great testimony to God Almighty. When you look over David’s life and all that transpired, and read the Book of Psalms which includes struggles, fear, tragedies, triumphs, questions, praise, worship..... it covers all aspects and ranges of life. 

And at the end of it all, David realizes that God Almighty is worthy of praise. 

To create a positive day, it must include praise and honor to God Almighty, for He is greater than any situation or circumstance I find myself. 

The Point of Satiation

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 16. Here is what I learned.

You will teach me ·how to live a holy [the path of] life. ·Being with you will fill me with joy [In your face/presence is the fullness of joy]; at your right hand I will find pleasure forever. Psalm 16:11 (EXB)

Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment. Psalm 16:11 (VOICE)

Fullness: satiety (satiate), abundance

Satiate: to supply with anything to excess

Is fullness of joy - Not partial joy; not imperfect joy; not joy intermingled with pain and sorrow; not joy which, though in itself real, does not satisfy the desires of the soul, as is the case with much of the happiness which we experience in this life - but joy, full, satisfying, unalloyed, unclouded, unmingled with anything that would diminish its fullness or its brightness; joy that will not be diminished, as all earthly joys must be, by the feeling that it must soon come to an end. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I was trying to get comprehend “fullness of joy”.... and my human mind can’t quite comprehend it. I know what it’s like when my Team wins, or when my favorite driver wins. I know what it’s like when something extraordinary happens... like I win a contest, or God supplies a need in a creative way. I know what it’s like when I’m happy for a friend. But each of those moments is short-lived. The joy is based on something that happened. 

The joy that God provides isn’t based on circumstances, situations, rather God’s joy is provided from Himself. He is joy. 

And the presence of God, provides excess joy... abundant joy.... more joy that I can comprehend.. overflowing joy. 

To create a positive day, it’s not about trying to find joy around me, rather it’s about entering God’s presence and accepting His joy to the point of satiation.

Let the Momentum Build

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 117. Here is what I learned.

Praise the Lord, all you nations! Praise him, all you people of the world! Psalm 117:1 (GW)

Praise God, everybody! Applaud God, all people! Psalm 117:1 (MSG)

"Praise him, all ye people." Having done it once, do it again, and do it still more fervently, daily increasing in the reverence and zeal with which you extol the Most High. The Treasury of David

As I recover from my most recent surgery, I have found that I don’t much FEEL like praising God. The pain is high... I’d rather complain. However, this verse doesn’t say “Praise the Lord when you FEEL like it.” Rather is says, “Praise the Lord”---PERIOD. 

Praise is not based on me, rather I am to honor and acknowledge God... who He is and what He has done and what He is doing. Praise is not based upon feelings, circumstances, situations, or really anything to do with Me. Praise is to be about God. And since He doesn’t change, He is a constant, faithful, merciful and loving God... my praise to Him should also be constant. 

If I praise God, only when I feel like it, I’d have to say that I don’t think I’d praise God very often. But, when I praise God, I find that how I feel changes. For praising God has an effect on me and my feelings. Praising God changes my focus from me to God. Praising God changes my attention to how I feel to Who God is and what He is doing. Praising God changes my perspective from my viewpoint to God’s viewpoint. Praising God produces more praise! For when I praise God, I want to praise Him more.... it’s a momentum builder! Praise produces more praise and it continues to build... and as my praise to God builds, I find that my feelings change too! 

I only have to begin to praise God and let the momentum build..... for that will create a positive and praise-filled day!

God’s Pure Joy Perspective

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 4. Here is what I learned.

But you have ·made me very happy [given joy to my heart], happier than they are, even with all their grain and new wine. Psalm 4:7 (EXB)

You have filled me with joy, and happiness has risen in my heart, great delight and unrivaled joy, even more than when bread abounds and wine flows freely. Psalm 4:7 (VOICE)

You have filled my heart with more happiness than they have when there is much grain and wine. Psalm 4:7 (NLV)

Thou hast given more joy to my heart. By another comparison he better expresses and illustrates the strength of his affection, showing that, having obtained the good which he had longed for, he does not in the least degree envy the wealth and enjoyments of others, but is altogether contented with his own lot. The sum is, that he had more satisfaction in seeing the reconciled countenance of God beaming upon him, than if he had possessed garners full of corn, and cellars full of wine. 

David declares, that he rejoices more in the favor of God alone, than earthly men rejoice when they enjoy all earthly good things, with the desire of which they are generally inflamed. He had represented them as so bent upon, and addicted to, the pursuit of worldly prosperity, as to have no great care about God; and now he adds, that their joy in the abundance and increase of their wine and corn is not so great as is his joy in a sense of the divine goodness alone. 

This verse contains very profitable instruction. We see how earthly men, after they have despised the grace of God, and plunged themselves over head and ears in transitory pleasures, are so far from being satisfied with them, that the very abundance of them inflames their desires the more; and thus, in the midst of their fullness, a secret uneasiness renders their minds uncomfortable. Never, therefore, shall we obtain undisturbed peace and solid joy until the favor of God shine upon us. And although the faithful also desire and seek after their worldly comforts, yet they do not pursue them with immoderate and irregular ardor; but can patiently bear to be deprived of them, provided they know themselves to be the objects of the divine care. Calvin's Commentary

I’m I not only satisfied with God’s joy, do I wait with anticipation to receive it? Looking for joy in things, or a certain situation or set of circumstances is not only looking in the wrong direction, but will not provide the satisfying and pure joy that only God can give. 

I need to accept God’s pure joy and allow His joy to radiate through me. For as I immerse myself in God’s joy, I’ll see my situation and circumstances in a new perspective. Once I have God’s pure joy perspective, I can create a positive, and joyous day!

Perpetual Raving

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 150. Here is what I learned.

Praise God in his ·Temple [holy place; or holiness]; praise him in his ·mighty heaven.

Praise him for his strength; praise him for his [abundant] greatness.

Praise him with trumpet blasts; praise him with harps and lyres.

Praise him with tambourines and dancing; praise him with stringed instruments and flutes.

Praise him with loud cymbals; praise him with crashing cymbals.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord! Psalm 150 (EXB)

Praise: make boast self, celebrate, commend, deal, make, foolish glory, give light, shine, to rave.

Praise is a theme throughout all the Psalms. But what is praise? 

Praise: noun, verb, praised, prais·ing.

noun

1. the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.

2. the offering of grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship: a hymn of praise to God.

3. the state of being approved or admired: The king lived in praise for many years.

4. Archaic. a ground for praise, or a merit.

verb (used with object)

5. to express approval or admiration of; commend; extol.

6. to offer grateful homage to (God or a deity), as in words or song.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Praise?s=t

So simply put, praise is a form of worship that involves giving reverence, love, and respect for/to Almighty God.

Praising God is not based on what He does, has done, or is doing for me. Praise is not based on how I feel, or my circumstances. Praise is not a one time event. Praise is not only for Sunday. 

Praise is all about God. Praise is worshiping who God is. Praise is raving about God. Praise is based on God’s characteristics. Praise is to be continuous. Praise is to be part of my daily life. 

Praise. 

P: Perpetual

R: Raving

A: About an Almighty

I: Irrefutable

S: Steadfast

E: Eternal God! 

Perpetual Raving About an Almighty, Irrefutable, Steadfast, Eternal God!

To create a positive day, I need to be praising God with my actions, attitude, out-look, and voice—perpetual raving about my Almighty God!

Going Right On as the Days Roll On!

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The Twenty-fourth of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 61. Here's what Treasure I found today.

So will I sing praise unto thy name forever, that I may daily perform my vows. Psalm 61:8 (KJV)

Sing praise: give praise, sing forth praises, psalms.

Name: by implication honor, authority, character 

Forever: perpetuity.

Perform: make good.

Vows: promised gifts.

Daily: day by day, continually—today and each day.

We vowed perpetual praise, and we desire to render it without intermission. We would worship God de die in diem, going right on as the days roll on. We ask no vacation from this heavenly vocation; we would make no pause in this sacred service. God daily performs his promises, let us daily perform our vows: he keeps his covenant let us not forget ours. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth, even for evermore. The Treasury of David

I will, a determined commitment and desire, to give praise to God, because He is worthy of praise, each and every day, as a promised gift to God. 

Note that my praise is not based on how I feel, or what I’m experiencing that particular day, the praise is directed to God, His character, Who He is. And since God does NOT change, my praise should be continual. 

I like how the Treasure of David put it: going right on as the days roll on. My praise to God should be going on and on and on and on and on.... as the  days roll on! Just like a huge boulder rolling down a hill, it continues to gather speed as it continues to roll. The more I praise God on a daily basis, the more I want to praise God! Going right on as the days roll on! 

I’ve noticed that the past several Psalms really focus on the aspect that my Praise is not to be based on me, my circumstances, my situation, or how I feel. Rather I’m to be praising and honoring God simply because of WHO He is. I also have noticed that as David turns his attention to God and begins praising and honoring God, David’s outlook changes., even if his situation/circumstances remain the same, David finds joy and comfort in Who God is. 

To create a positive day, I need to change my focus from how I feel, from how bad I hurt, from my circumstances to Who God is, His character and begin praising Him.... going right on as the days roll on! 

No Matter!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 57. Here is what I learned.

I have complete confidence, O God; I will sing and praise you! Psalm 57:7 (GNT)

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody. Psalm 57:7 (AMP)

Heart: will and even the intellect.

Steadfast: certainty, confirm, direct, faithfulness, fasten, firm, be fitted.

Sing: be musical

Praise: acclaim, applause, bravo, celebration, cheer, devotion, esteem, exaltation, hymn, kudos, rave, recognition, thanks, tribute, worship.

Have you ever been so happy and joyful that you burst out in song? You just had to shout? That’s what Psalm 57:7 describes. 

David’s heart, his will, his intellect, his entire being was fitted, “in tune to” Who God is and God’s character. And with David’s full attention fixed on God, the circumstances and situation David found himself did not matter—God is good, and worthy of praise!

His heart was firm and decided. He did not waver in his purpose, or lean now to one side and then to the other; he was not "swayed" or "moved" by the events that had occurred. He felt conscious of standing firm in the midst of all his troubles. He confided in God. He did not doubt his justice, his goodness, his mercy; and, even in his trials, he was ready to praise him, and was "resolved" to praise him. The repetition of the word "fixed" gives emphasis and intensity to the expression, and is designed to show in the strongest manner that his heart, his purpose, his confidence in God, did not waver in the slightest degree. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Vocally and instrumentally will I celebrate thy worship. With lip and with heart will I ascribe honour to thee. The Treasury of David

No matter what is happening around me. No matter what circumstances I find myself. No matter how I feel. No matter what others may think. No matter what may happen tomorrow. No matter! I am determined that my heart, my will, my intellect my whole being, is totally and firmly “fitted” and “in tune” to God and His will. Know that God is God.... period!  He is my steadfast security, in whom I will place all my confidence and trust. 

The fact that God is God—He is worthy of praise and honor. I honor and praise God, because of WHO HE IS!

First, I determine that I will be confident

in Who God is,

and then that creates

an overwhelming song of praise to God

—no matter the circumstances! 

God is God. And when I place my confidence in that fact that creates a positive day, no matter my circumstances!

What if blessings come through raindrops?

“But there’s a decision that I find God is asking us to make: whether we are going to choose to interpret our circumstances based on what we hold to be true about God, or whether we’re going to judge what we hold to be true about God based on our circumstances.” Laura Story

A friend shared the above quote with me. Laura and her husband have an amazing testimony. You can read about it at her website: http://www.laurastorymusic.com/bio .

This is the title track of her new CD: Blessings. As you read these words, consider the meaning.

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

Creating a positive day is not done by looking at circumstances, rather by trusting God—who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is faithful.

You can order Laura Story's CDs at: http://laurastorymusic.portmerch.com/stores/home.php