Greatly to Be Praised

In the first verse, is David acknowledging other gods as capital G gods? Of course not. All throughout scriptures, the Lord rebukes His people when they have made idols (or gods) out of material things, other nations’ “gods”, or any other thing. Today, we are no stranger to making gods of other things. I believe to crown anything as a god is simply to give something (typically designed as good, but sadly perverted and twisted) the priority and place in our lives that only YHWH deserves. When David says, “I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise”, I believe this is to do what we are charged with so often here at Downtown Hope. To unabashedly, unashamed, boldly proclaim that our God is Lord of all, before every other thing in our lives, He is God. Before what the world calls good, before our children, before our marriages, before our jobs, before our flesh, He is Lord of it all. We should praise Him and shout this truth before everything that breathes. After all, Jesus said "I tell you, if these [people] were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:40) Don’t let a rock cry out to the Lord, who has been gracious upon gracious to you, before you do.
Verse 3 strikes me as well, because as David writes “On the day I called, you answered me;  my strength of soul you increased”, I am reminded that there is not one prayer that our God does not answer. I think sometimes we forget that “no” and “wait” and “I have something better planned” are answers, too. And in fact, those answers are just as worthy, if not more, of our praise and worship. God cares enough about us to tell us no. He cares enough to see our plans, and say If I give you this, how could I give you what you don’t see yet? I’d way prefer our God who has our life plan in the palm of His hands to tell me no, so that I may draw closer to Him and His presence, than for Him to just tell me sure, go ahead, even if it destroys my very soul.
I will echo David’s final words of this Psalm, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Merriam-Webster defines forsake as "to renounce, or turn away from entirely". Do not “renounce, or turn away from [me] entirely” Jesus.
- Danielle Parker

[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ What does it mean to be forsaken? (Hint: Definition in the bottom of the devotional) Why does David in many Psalms beg the Lord not to forsake him? Is there anything of this world worth it?
+ Read verse 7. Reflect on the troubles that life has presented you, and what troubles you currently find yourself contending with. Identify how God has preserved your soul even still.

[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Do you find that you understand why we worship God? Not just why we follow Him, but why we sing songs of praise, write poems, create and dedicate to Him? Do you believe that your worship and prayer life reflects the gratitude you have for all He has done?

[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, do not forsake me. Thank you for promising that He who began a good work in me will see it to completion. If there are any works in me that I have begun myself without your yes, crush them. Lift my eyes to the hills to see where my help comes from, and show me what is right. Show me what work you are trying to do in me, and I beg you Lord, judge and change me where I am not following you. You have been my best friend, and there is no other who cares for me as You do. Help me to remember that. Help me to love others as you have loved me. I couldn’t know love without knowing You first. Thank You for everything Lord. Thank You for it all. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus that we pray, amen

[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ Discuss what it means to worship and praise with someone close to you today. What does your time, money, and effort point to you worshipping?