Introduction

Title: I Will Praise the Lord

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-3 (NIV)

"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together."

Context

This psalm, like many others, has its roots in a historical event. The context can be found in 1 Samuel 21-22, where David is on the run from King Saul. Saul was jealous of David's rising popularity and sought to kill him. David finds temporary refuge in Gath, a city associated with Goliath, his famous adversary.

It may seem strange that David sought safety among his enemies, but he had to act like a madman to avoid capture. Fear can make us act foolishly and lose our sense of reason. In times of fear, we must remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

David eventually finds himself hiding in the Cave of Adullam, near the place where he defeated Goliath. This cave becomes a place of reflection and remembrance for David. It is essential for all of us to have a place where we can reflect on what God has done for us, away from distractions.

When David's friends heard that he was hiding in the cave, they joined him. These were people who were also distressed and disenchanted with their lives. They found solace in the company of David and the shared experience of seeking refuge in the cave.

Reasons to Praise

David lists the reasons why he will bless the Lord: God freed him from fear, delivered him from trouble, guarded him, showed him kindness, supplied his needs, listened to him, and redeemed him. In response to all that God has done, David breaks his silence and declares his praise.

David encourages us not to wait for someone else to prompt us to praise God. We should come to church ready to praise Him, not just to think about His goodness. We should be thankful and express our gratitude to God, just as we would when someone does something for us.

Overflowing Praise

David's example teaches us that we should not remain silent about God's goodness in our lives. If God has healed us, protected us, delivered us, sustained us, or blessed us in any way, we should break our silence and praise Him. Our praise should overflow from our minds to our lips.

No matter what challenges we face, we should continue to praise the Lord. When our children misbehave, when there is conflict in our relationships, when we are lied about or talked about, we should still overflow with praise for God.

Conclusion

Let us follow David's example and make a deliberate choice to bless the Lord at all times. Let our praise be a constant presence in our lives, not just a fleeting thought. May we always find reasons to glorify His name and exalt Him together.

I will bless the Lord.

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