Hold on and Praise

“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.” (Psalm 5:11)

Hello, my friend…

David was a man after God’s own heart. As a young boy, he grew up tending his father’s sheep. When he became a teenager, he was anointed as the king-in-waiting, to succeed Saul. In the following years, David was pulled into the king’s tutelage and served as a musician in the king’s presence. Adulthood brought on military service, at which David excelled. All through the years, however, David never lost his love for the God of his fathers.

Reading through the biblical account of David’s life, it reads like a novel. In fact, many movies have been made over the years about his life. It is, at once, a man’s story – the responsibilities he bore as a youth, the victories he won as a teenager, the preening that occurred in the king’s castle, and the warrior he developed into as a man. Running through his story, however, is a chick-flick. The tender young boy alone in the fields – away from everyone. The ruddy, handsome teenager that won the hearts of his fellow countrymen. His integrity and devotedness to those in command over him. The romance of women and his love of music. Ahhhh, David. No wonder he is still to this day venerated among the Jewish people.

In today’s verse, we gain insight into his depth. Perhaps this was one of his earliest writings (we know he wrote much of the book of Psalms), but in this verse we see his very brilliant confession of his trust in God. He is instructing all who read – especially believers – to rejoice. All who have our trust in God, our life-changing, life-sustaining, absolute trust are to rejoice in that relationship. We are to be vocal, to shout for joy, because God defends us – He hedges us in and protects us in times of trouble. Furthermore, we are to rejoice simply because God Is Who He Is. We are to love the sound of His Name, to be glad to talk about Him to others. There is no shame, no fear, no timidness in the subject of our relationship with God. Especially in David’s heart.

How about you? When someone asks you about your beliefs, when someone questions your motives, when someone is confused about how you handle the problems of life? Do you him-haw around, do you mumble something, do you try to skirt the question? Or do you boldly declare your trust and faith in God? And, do you give a testimony to what God has done in and for you? If this whole subject makes you a little uncomfortable, then I would question your relationship with Him.

See, I have a girlfriend in my life. We are both in our sixties, so that sounds rather weird to say, but it is what it is. I am proud to show her off. I am only too happy to introduce her to people in my world. I love her deeply and care about folding her into my life – every part of it. Whenever someone asks me about how things are going, I have no problem bringing her up into the conversation because she is a big part of my life. There is no shame involved, no beating around the bush. I am bold to declare my love for her and our life we are just starting to build together.

Don’t even get me started about being a biker, either. I am proud of my Harley motorcycle. Sure, I get grief occasionally from my Honda Goldwing riding brothers and sisters, but they won’t back me down and make me say anything negative about my Harley. I have become known as a Harley man here in town. And that’s ok.

Now, if I am that proud and confident to confess my love for my girl and my enduring identification with my Harley, why should I back down if someone asks me about my God. My girl does a lot for me, but she can’t (and would never pretend to) do what God has done. My Harley, in like manner, has never let me down, but even I know it is just a motorcycle. Neither she nor it will come between my God and me. Period.

There is a saying amongst the Christian community that you can’t have a testimony unless you have some tests. I reply to that with a resounding “AMEN!” Many of you reading or listening to this will agree heartily with that statement. If it wasn’t for knowing what God has done, I couldn’t bear witness to what He is capable of doing. I, for example, can wholeheartedly testify (especially after the last year and a half) that God can and does heal. I can completely assure you that God can and does save. I know He can and does deliver us from all that we yield to Him. The question isn’t that God can’t or won’t, it is whether we will ask Him and allow Him to. Our tests are not tests of God and His ability; instead, they are tests of our faith and trust in Him. Truly, tests bring out the best in God and show us His love for us.

I know for a fact that some of you are going through tests right now. You have told me as much. Some are in the front-end of the test – it is just getting started. Some of you are in the middle of one and are trying to ask how long it will last. Others have been in the testing grounds for awhile and are growing weary. Thankfully, I have not been tried as long as some of you have been. I give God all the glory for His mercy in that matter, believe me! Some days it takes all you have just to survive another day in His forge. I get that. Long-term suffering and pain stinks! And I wish I could look ahead and tell you when it will all be over, but God hasn’t given me (or anyone else I know) that ability.

All I know is that He promised He would walk through it with you. He has gone before you and He knows when and how it will be over. For encouragement, I would ask you to listen to the following video/music: https://youtu.be/kRn7gpxUSg4?si=HF-5-UiOgDM_0jup. I, and others, are praying for you – that God will give you the strength to hold on just a little longer and that He will be merciful to you. Having gone through similar tests, we all promise that it WILL end – and God will give you a word to share with others in the future.

God is a good God. He isn’t punishing you for something you have done and He won’t let you die in the fight. That doesn’t bring any comfort at the moment, perhaps, but I beg you to turn to Him. Look upon His face. Read His Word. Pray. Sing praise to Him. Trust His wisdom and will for your life. These days of sickness, these long months (or years) of pain, will all be worth it – if you can just hold on a little longer. You will live and not perish, and you will sing the praises of God in the midst of the congregation. That is God’s promise to you today.

Be blessed.