Praise & Proclaim
Praise the Lord by proclaiming the good news letting the Spirit guide you in how to give life to others through Jesus.
“David kept thinking to himself, “Someday Saul is going to get me. The best thing I can do is escape to the Philistines. Then Saul will stop hunting for me in Israelite territory, and I will finally be safe. So David took his 600 men and went over and joined Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath. One day David said to Achish, “If it is all right with you, we would rather live in one of the country towns instead of here in the royal city.” So Achish gave him the town of Ziklag…David and his men spent their time raiding…David did not leave one person alive in the villages he attacked. He took the sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys, camels, and clothing before returning home to see King Achish. No one was left alive to come to Gath and tell where he had really been.” 1 Samuel 27:1-11
David came to a fork in the road and took a detour away from God. The text says that he thought to himself and he listened to the voice of fear. Contrast that with how he had inquired of God in everything else he had done previously. How easy is it to go through life one our own terms rather than inquiring of God? What happens when David decided to go his own way and make his own living? He raids, murders, and lies. He used his strength to steal and then sinned further by slaughtering others so he wouldn’t get caught.
There is a slippery slope to sin and it often starts by listening to Satan. There is a voice that you will hear that twists the truth, creates fear, multiplies guilt, wants you to eat spoonfuls of shame, and causes you to separate. Rather than living in his identity as a king and trusting God for his provision, David went out into the country and sinned abundantly. Where have you gone your own way? Where listened to a lie rather than listening to the Lord? Where have you focused on using your strengths for selfish gain?
“Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.”
Psalms 113:2-9
How would you describe God to others? It has been said that a low view of God is the cause of many of our problems, and a high view of God is the solution to the prayers we seek. The same David, who slaughtered and sinned, wrote this song about the difference between God and mankind. David sang who is like you God.
The Bible says we were made in the image of God, but we have to be careful about making God in our own image. God is not limited or finite. He does not take days off nor is He is distant. He is not sinful or afraid. He is a Restorer and Redeemer. He is all powerful and ever present. He is God with us and God within us. He is worthy of our praise. How will you lift up God today?
Will you publicly declare He is worthy of praise and proclaim all that He has done? Like David many people will think to themselves that they are not capable of sharing the good news or praising publicly. Those are both simply not true. You have a voice that only you can sing. You have praise that only you can bring.
“Does not wisdom call out? At the highest point along the way…she takes her stand; “Listen, My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full. “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was there when he set the heavens in place, Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. “Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 8:1-35
In the first text David did not have ears to hear but that does not mean that wisdom was not calling out to him. The spirit is always speaking. Jesus is always knocking. The Father always has his arms wide open. What will you hear when the Spirit calls out?
You will hear wisdom, instruction, knowledge and the truth. God is spirit and truth. God wants to be known by you. He wants for you to know who you are and whose you are. You are His and He is yours.
God wants you to learn to delight in his presence and seek Him above all else. The Bible says I love those who love me and those who seek will find. Jesus said the same thing. What are you pursuing today? What do you want most? Do you want to draw closer to God? Do you want to find wisdom, favor, and life? Listen.
Wisdom warned us of what can get in the way. Pride, arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Like David we can all get off track. Satan wants you to think when you do that God no longer desires you or that you are somehow unworthy. God continually calls us back and calls us to return to Him that we might find healing.
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” Isaiah 12:1-6
How amazing is God that He sent His Son that we might be saved even while we actively sin? God calls us by name and tells us not to be afraid. When we turn to Him, we find mercy and not judgment. We find strength and salvation not punishment and public humiliation. God wants you to drink from the water of the wells of salvation and sing of the joy you have through Jesus Christ.
Have you ever considered telling your story? How would you share the good news of your own salvation? Who are you before you met Jesus and how has he changed your life? Are you excited to share and sing of how you have been saved?
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to…the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil…showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him…From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”Matthew 4:1-24
We have a savior who knows what we go through every day. He knows what it is to be tempted by Satan when you are weak. It was when Jesus was hungry and hurting and vulnerable that Satan tried to separate him from God. Look at how Satan works. He has a playbook. He tries to get Jesus to question his own identity. Satan even quotes, scripture and twists the truth. Look at the parallels with proverbs where wisdom calls out from the highest place and so did Satan. Wisdom hates the twisting of truth, but Satan always twists the truth. He gives you just enough to make you think what he’s saying is true, but it is not. We have to learn to recognize the voice that lies, creates fear, and is not from God.
Jesus chooses the spirit over the flesh. He is not tempted by power or splendor. He lived to love God and love others. Our lives can become very complicated, but there is a simplicity to the narrow road. Love God and love others. The question is whether we will listen to God or listen Satan. Whose voice will be louder and have more authority in your life?
Satan tries to undercut and get you to question identity. David got off track by listening to fear and used his gifts in the wrong ways for a time. Jesus calls out your kingdom identity like he does with Andrew and Peter. He shows how they can use their gifts to glorify God by bringing hope to other people. He wants to do the same thing with you. He wants you to know how you can use your strengths and gifts to bring the good news. What is your identity?
Jesus lived for God alone. His life was an offering of praise. Look at the connections to the Psalm of today and the Isaiah texts. We praise and sing who is like you God? Who redeems and restores? Jesus. Jesus continually praised God and proclaimed the good news. Everywhere he went he brought healing and hope.
The incredible truth is we can do the same. We can learn to fish for people. We have a part to play. We can point people to Him. We can participate by being people who praise and proclaim the goodness of God. We can be people who bring peace by be helping others know the prince of peace. Listen to the Spirit and let Jesus lead you to a life of peace, purpose, and power as you praise the God who is unlike any other and proclaim the kingdom has come.