Instruments Of Praise

Apparently David was sick. So sick that he believed he was going to die. And his detractors were openly hoping for it; gloating over his misfortune. But David appealed to the Lord (Psalm 30:1-3) who raised him from his deathbed and restored his health:

I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.

What did David do in response to God’s gracious intervention? He used it as a platform to talk about the goodness of God. He understood that the reason God spared his life, at least in part, was to now be an instrument of praise (Psalm 30:9):

What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

Have you given any thought to why God has been so gracious and merciful to you? Do you know the reason why he has answered so many of your prayers? Do you think it is simply to give you a more comfortable life or to satisfy your every whim?

Of course, God loves you as his dear child, and wants to give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) But he gives you life and breath, health and happiness, peace and prosperity that you might be an instrument of his praise. He answers your prayers and pulls you out of the pit so that your voice would rise in public gratitude to him. Even in the midst of hardship, he gives you inner joy that others might know of your hope in the goodness of God.

David got it. He understood that his life had been spared and his prayers answered so that he could worship among the wicked (v. 1) and sing among the saints (v. 4) as living proof of a loving God.

God wants you to “get it” too.

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“Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Making Life Work: Starting today, look for opportunities to speak a good word for God. You don’t have to get weird about it, but in the course of your conversations, talk about the goodness of God in your life. Remember, that’s the reason you even have life: To be an instrument of praise!