April 18, 2019: SOAP #3423:  1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 34:1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the LORD with me: let us exalt his name together.

Observation:   David was running from King Saul who wanted to kill him.  He was hiding in Gath where the king did not make David feel welcome.  David acted like he was insane, but his heart was aware of God’s presence, his soul was boasting in God’s greatness, and his mouth was full of God’s praise.

But there was something that would make the time of praise even better.  That would be to share it with someone else!

Application:   Someone can join me in praising God, or I can join someone else.  My praise may stir someone’s heart to join me.  Their praise may stir my heart to join them.

Our praise together grows as we respond to what we hear.  It is good to hear other people praise God.   Hearing their praise often inspires me to new expressions of my praise.  It is good for me to find new words and phrases to use in praising God.  I believe it is good for God when He hears me stretching myself to praise Him with words and thoughts that I have never used before.

(NOTE:  I should listen to myself when I praise God.  I should make note of the 2 or 3 top phrases I use most often in praising God.  The I should ban myself from using those phrases for a week and force myself to thoughtfully develop some new expressions of praise.)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I want you to enjoy the time we spend together.  So, praise must be an important part of my prayer life.  Holy Spirit, challenge me to find new expressions of praise.  Help me to stretch beyond my habits and phrases that I can utter without thinking.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!