Enjoy God - 17th October
“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. The poor will see and be glad – you who seek the Lord, may your hearts live”. Psalm 69: 30&31
When we praise God it gives him pleasure. The psalmist is saying that praise from the heart will please God much more than many fine religious or ceremonial acts (sacrificing fine animals being the example he uses for his day). I wonder if sometimes we go to church, enthusiastically sing a few songs, after all the tunes are catchy, and think we’ve worshipped God and brought him pleasure but really our hearts and minds have been somewhere else altogether and we’ve merely engaged in a form of worship.
I think David is talking about more than that here. It’s a life filled with the enjoyment of God. Enjoying all the good things God has given as a gift from him; responding to his gifts with thankfulness. A good day out with the kids – “thank you Lord”; a successful business meeting – “thank you Lord”; a beautiful sunset – “thank you Lord”. Thankfulness lifts our hearts and brings pleasure to God.
And if things aren’t going well? This Psalm was written when David was in real difficulties, verse one reads “save me, o God, for the waters have come up to my neck”. David was drowning in his troubles, but even then he recalled the greatness of God’s name and character and praised him. It lifted his heart, surely built his faith and gave pleasure to God.
There’s a challenge in these verses too. There’s something about our thankfulness and praise of God being visible (not just shut in church in Sundays) so that others can see and be glad. A thankful, praise filled life lifts those around and, who knows, may start someone on their search for God.
Enjoy God today. | 