Psalm - Psalm 13

Psalm 13:5But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 

But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation. Psalm 13:5

But I trust in Your faithful love; my heart leaps at the thought of imminent deliverance by You. Psalm 13:5 (VOICE)

My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation; which God is the contriver, author, and giver of, and in which the glory of his perfections is so greatly displayed: and a true believer rejoices more on account that God is glorified by it than because of his own interest in it; and this joy is an inward one, it is joy in the heart, and is real and unfeigned, and is what continues, and will be felt and expressed both here and hereafter. Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

What makes my heart leap? What raises my spirits? The truth is that nothing on earth can make my heart leap—for pure joy. Oh, there are things that make me smile, and happy, but true joy comes only from God. True joy provides a constant that allows my heart to leap no matter the situation or circumstance. 

When I realize that God’s faithful love is ever-present and available to me, no matter the circumstance, or situation! God’s love is the constant that should make my heart leap! 

Think of that for a moment. God, the Creator of all, the Amazing Almighty God loves us. Can you grasp that fact? God loves me! God loves you! 

Stop and reflect on God’s amazing constant, unconditional love and then your heart will leap and your spirits will soar! 

Psalm 13 - God’s amazing constant, unconditional love

In every moment. Through every situation.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

Continually: continuance as indefinite extension; perpetual

His praise shall continually be in my mouth; not the "praise" of which God is the author, but of which he is the object; which is due unto him, and is given him on account of the perfections of his nature, and the works of his hands, and the blessings of his providence and grace; this, the psalmist says, should be in his mouth: his meaning is, that he should not only retain in his heart a grateful sense of the divine favours, but should express it with his lips; should both make melody in his heart to the Lord, and vocally sing his praise; and that "continually", as long as he lived, or had any being, Psalm 146:2. (John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible)

This verse could also be translated: 
"In my mouth are His praises continually, at all times will I bless the Lord." 

I will praise the Eternal in every moment through every situation. Whenever I speak, my words will always praise Him. Psalm 34:1 (VOICE) 

I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. Psalm 34:1 (TLB)

In every moment. Through every situation. At all times. Continually. 

Reasons to praise (brag about) God Almighty should be shared at every opportunity. 

What are you excited to talk about? What flows from your mouth on a continual basis? 

In every moment. Through every situation. God is worthy and due praise. 

God is Enough. (James)

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. James 1:9, 10

The phrase “of low degree” means one in humble circumstances; one of lowly rank or employment; one in a condition of dependence or poverty. It stands here particularly opposed to one who is rich; and the apostle doubtless had his eye, in the use of this word, on those who had been poor. (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible)

Position doesn't matter. What does matter is one's relationship with Christ and knowing that no matter the situation, God is enough. 

God is enough. 

Is that a true? Is God enough in my life? 

 This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

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And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power]. Colossians 2:10 (AMP)

"In Christ they find the satisfaction of every spiritual want" (Peake). There is no other place for Christ. He is first in time and in rank. All rule and authority comes after Christ whether angels, aeons, kings, what not. Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

Satisfaction. Christ is all I need. But is He all I want? Am I satisfied with what Christ has to offer me? Think about that. Christ not only offered Himself as a sacrifice for my sins, He in His grace and mercy offers me His unconditional love, grace, and mercy. Is He enough? 

He should be. I should be content and overwhelmed with Christ Himself. Nothing more and nothing less. 

But that's just in the spiritual aspect, what about the physical? Christ is enough in that too. Or He should be. In light of eternity, what is important? I can't take things with me to Heaven. Anything I have here are earth, is from God. Those are blessings. 

And if SOMETHING, is more important than Christ, that THING has become an idol. Remember the 10 Commandments?

You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.

You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me. Exodus 20:3-5 (AMP)

No other gods before or besides Me. "Other gods"—anything or anyone on whom I place more importance than God and His Word. If THINGS, take precedent and are more important that the satisfaction I can find in Christ–then those THINGS are idols. And that's a dangerous precedent to set. 

Satisfaction. Christ alone. In order to be completely satisfied with Christ, I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG)

Over-spilling Joy

As I was studying Galatians 5;22, 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words. 

This was from my Study of Colossians. 

"[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy,Colossians 1:11 (AMP)

This verses continues to list of topics covered in their prayers. It's comforting to know that it is a fact that we each face troubles. But greater than the troubles is the strength and endurance that God gives... that comes with and produces joy. 

I like how verse 11 reads in The Message: "We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy."

Strength that endures the unendurable AND spills over into JOY. I wonder what would happen if I accepted God's strength to endure the unendurable.... and allow it to spill over with JOY! 

What a great prayer to pray for someone, knowing that it's possible!

God supplied-strength results in not just enduring and muddling through a situation, but rather enduring it being overwhelmed with joy!

And that God supplied-strength and over-spilling joy, begins with being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Thanks Living: Was His Custom

So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Daniel 6:4-10

As was his custom since early days. 

Just as he always had.

He continued to do what he always did.

Often we wait until we get into trouble before we start praying. Daniel knew the importance of the prayer even when there was no trouble. Creating habits and practicing praise and thanksgiving to God in the good times, will insure us of praising and thanking God in the "bad times".  Our situation should not change our praise and thanksgiving! We are not praising and thanking God for "stuff", rather because of Who He is! Our situation does not change Who God is! 

As was his custom, he always had, always did. 

Thanks Living is about creating a habit of thanking God for Who He is and all that He provides. Thanks Living is to be a habit — no matter the situation! In order to insure that Thanks Living is a habit, it must be practiced on a daily (and even multiple times daily). 

As was his custom—I want Thanks Living to be what I always did, so that I can always do it in the future! 

Proverbs 13:1 Absurd and Inadequate

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. Proverbs 13:1

Wise: ethically and religiously

Instruction: discipline, correction

Scoffer: have in derision; mockery, something absurdly or offensively inadequate or unfitting

Listen: to hear intelligently; often with implication of attention, obedience

rebuke: to chide, reprimand,  stern disapproval of

None of us like to be told that was are doing wrong. It's partly pride, but mostly we simply don't want to have to change what we are doing. We are content doing as we went. 

Yet, a wise person will accept discipline and correction for a wise person wants to grow and change for the better. When one chooses to ignore wisdom—they are in all intents and purposes telling God that His ways are absurd and inadequate. Um, ok. Not sure I'd want to say that to Almighty God—and I don't "directly", yet I do when I choose ignore wisdom. 

Absurd and inadequate. Those are two words I would not associate with Wisdom. However, when I choose to ignore Wisdom my actions are saying just that—"Wisdom is absurd!" 

Absurd and inadequate. Wisdom is neither of those things. Wisdom provides the knowledge, know-how, and ability to put wisdom into practice. 

Yet, how often so I hear wisdom and decide that in this particular situation wisdom is absurd and inadequate? 

Wisdom will only sound absurd and inadequate, when I change my focus from God to me. For when my heart is permitted with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then I'll realize that wisdom is anything but absurd and inadequate. 

What Do I Pray?

[For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One). Colossians 2:2 (AMP)

Prayer. 

How often do we say, "I'll pray for you."? First, do we really pray? And secondly, what do we pray? 

Often the focus of our prayers is for the person to "get well" or their situation to "get better". But how often do we for the spiritual soul of the person? 

On my May 3rd I posted about Colossians 1:11 (Overwhelmed with Joy). Paul didn't pray that the situation would get better, but rather that through the situation the believers would know God's strength and joy. 

God supplied-strength results in not just enduring and muddling through a situation, but rather enduring it being overwhelmed with joy!

Colossians 2:2 shares another focus for prayer, rather than just "get well". The focus here is that first and foremost that their hearts would be encouraged. HOW? As they are knit together in LOVE. That is not the "feely, gushy" love. Rather this "love" is directly from God. It's unconditional love based on God's grace and mercy. 

I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. John 13:34 (AMP)

How often do I pray that "your heart is encouraged as you are knit together in love"? For really being knit together in God's love creates a unbreakable bond and provides the security that allows each to be encouraged and comforted. 

First, I must myself be accepting of God's love, so that I can love others. And loving God begins when I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

And lastly, as I pray for others, I want to move beyond the physical and address the spiritual, so that the individual can know God's strength and joy in the midst of the situation. 

Confidence

“Would you mind if I said something to you?

    Under the circumstances it’s hard to keep quiet.

You yourself have done this plenty of times, spoken words

    that clarify, encouraged those who were about to quit.

Your words have put stumbling people on their feet,

    put fresh hope in people about to collapse.

But now you’re the one in trouble—you’re hurting!

    You’ve been hit hard and you’re reeling from the blow.

But shouldn’t your devout life give you confidence now?

    Shouldn’t your exemplary life give you hope?

Job 4:1-6 (MSG)

As I read these verses this morning, the concept that stood out was, "Where do I put my confidence?" Is my confidence in the life I've lived? Or is my confidence and hope placed in God Almighty?

So, often it's easy to say, see what I HAVE DONE, look at the GOOD I've done, etc. However, based upon God Almighty, my good falls short. It's not about what I HAVE DONE, but rather, what has GOD DONE in and through me? I need to make sure I'm not basing my confidence in me.

I can however, look back and see all that God has done through me and for me. I can take joy that "God did it once, He can do it again!" No matter the situation or circumstances, my confidence should be in God and God alone. For when my confidence is in God Almighty it's easy to create a positive day! 

Grasping at Shiny Bubbles

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 96. Here is what I learned.

Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Psalm 96:6 (AMP)

Greatness and grandeur are in front of him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Psalm 96:6 (CEB)

Honor and majesty precede Him; strength and beauty infuse His holy sanctuary. Psalm 96:6 (VOICE)

Honour and majesty are before him. Men can but mimic these things; their pompous pageants are but the pretence of greatness. Honour and majesty are with him and with him alone. In the presence of Jehovah real glory and sovereignty abide, as constant attendants.

Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. In him are combined all that is mighty and lovely, powerful and resplendent. We have seen rugged strength devoid of beauty, we have also seen elegance without strength; the union of the two is greatly to be admired. Do we desire to see the "sublime and beautiful" at one glance? Then we must look to the eternal throne. In the Chronicles we read strength and gladness; and the two renderings do not disagree in sense, for in the highest degree in this instance it is true that "a thing of beauty is a joy for ever." Not in outward show or parade of costly robes does the glory of God consist; such things are tricks of state with which the ignorant are dazzled; holiness, justice, wisdom, grace, these are the splendours of Jehovah's courts, these the jewels and the gold, the regalia, and the pomp of the courts of heaven. The Treasury of David

How often am I intrigued by something that looks amazing? Yet, I am soon disappointed as I learn that what appeared amazing was only an illusion. 

So often, I become discontented with my life, situation. The “if onlys” begin. If only I had this, If only I had that, If only I lived there, If only..... the list goes on. But in reality looking for contentment in shiny things is futile, unsatisfactory, just plain pointless! 

In contrast, when I look to God for my contentment, and behold His majesty and honor and strength and beauty.... WOW! There is true substance in God, unlike the shiny bubbles of the world that pop just as I try to grasp them. God provides solid real and honest-to-goodness substance! 

To create a positive day, and truly be content, I need to stop grasping at shiny bubbles and reach for the honest-to-goodness substance that only God can provide 

Actively Magnify

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.

God is ·supreme [exalted] over the ·skies [heavens]; his ·majesty [glory; his manifest presence] ·covers [is over] the earth. Psalm 57:5 (EXB)

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. Psalm 57:5 (NLT)

Exalted: A primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise, exalt, extol. 

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens. The language here is that of a man who in trouble lifts his thoughts to God; who feels that God reigns; who is assured in his own soul that all things are under his hand; and who is desirous that God should be magnified whatever may become of himself. His prime and leading wish is not for himself, for his own safety, for his own deliverance from danger; it is that "God" may be honored - that the name of God may be glorified - that God may be regarded as supreme over all things - that God may be exalted in the highest possible degree - an idea expressed in the prayer that he may be exalted "above the heavens." Barnes' Notes on the Bible  

........desirous that God should be magnified whatever may become of himself (myself). I’m to be ACTIVELY magnifying God... it’s not about me... it’s to be ALL about Him! 

Glorifying God is not a one time thing. I’m to be ACTIVELY magnifying God.... on an ongoing basis. Magnifying God is not to happen just when I feel like it, or when I think things are going well, or when I’m happy, or not struggling..... it is to happen because GOD is worthy of being magnified. Magnifying God is to be based on HIM, who He is, and what He does. 

If I make  it a point to actively magnify God throughout the day, it will create a positive day for me... and those around me. 

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!

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!

Perspective

Perspective. It truly effects how we see things and respond to them. If my perspective is inward and all about me, my problems and situation become overwhelming. When I see everything else through "me" my perspective is warped. My sight is limited and clouded by my judgment and thoughts.

If I change my perspective to see things from another person's, things look very different. Often my situation seems small in comparison. That doesn't mean my situation is less significant, rather I see it through new eyes.

Another thing about perspective. The more I look inward and the focus is on me, I miss so many opportunities to encourage someone else. If all I do is look at my situation and problems, they will continue to grow. However, by looking at another person's life and situation, I can give encouragement and support. Personally, I'd rather give encouragement and support, than wallow in my own self-pity and problems.

Change your perspective and create a positive day for yourself and someone else! The change is well worth it,—but then again it's all a matter of perspective!