Theme of Our Praisefeatured

Jesus told us “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). I’m pretty sure all of us can relate to that.  We face many troubles in our lives and sometime those troubles are mountain-sized (as depicted in this painting). So, how do we deal with difficulties large and small?

King David, who was described by God as a “man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22), dealt with several very troublesome mountains. Perhaps we can learn a few lessons in dealing with our troubles from David.

David had a very active prayer life and wrote some of his prayers as poems in what is now the book of Psalms. Many of David’s prayers include a litany of complaints. Even though God was well aware of David’s difficult circumstances (and ours), God knows we sometime just need to vent. David was pretty good at venting!

• “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? (Psalm 22:1).
• “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” (Psalm 13:1-2).

David was also not shy about suggesting his desired solutions to God.

• “Arise, Lord, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies” (Psalm 7:6).
• “Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out” (Psalm 10:15).
• “Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead…” (Psalm 55:15).

Jesus modeled how to handle offering up our desired outcomes to God in Matthew 26:39. Knowing that an excruciating death awaited him, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” As we offer up our desired solutions, outcomes, and timing to God, we also must say, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

David was accomplished at shifting from his pity party and “creative” suggestions to trust and praise. He often interrupts his litany of complaints with reminders of God’s providence, strength, and love.

• “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:5-6).
• “Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him” (Psalm 28:6-7).
• “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you” (Psalm 31:19)

So what do we learn from David about climbing that mountain (or hill) of trouble that we are facing?

• We can’t do it alone. David went to God in prayer when facing difficult circumstances. I tend to rely on my own insufficient efforts; sometimes only turning to God when I’ve made a big mess of things.
• We can unload all our sorrow, anger, confusion, and frustration on God. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus told us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” God can handle all we dish up; they are not a surprise to him!
• We must surrender our desired outcomes and timing to God. David had to wait about twenty years before he became King as God had promised. We must climb our mountain on God’s timeline, not ours. I am usually in a bigger hurry than God.
• When we remember who God is – recalling his promises, faithfulness, provision and unfailing love – like David, we move from a pity party to trust and then praise and gratitude.
• In Psalm 22:25, David tells God, “From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly.” We are to be vocal in our praise and gratitude to God and tell others about our wonderful God.

The mountain in this painting looks pretty tough to climb so I overlaid the mountain with stripes to represent God’s continuous presence as we encounter life’s challenging situations. His love, faithfulness, providence, strength, and provision are all available. God has even given us a helper, his Holy Spirit, to walk with us each step of the way. 

Perhaps using these learnings from David as we  handle our mountains and hills is key to being “a person after God’s own heart.” At the end of our days, wouldn’t it be glorious if God used those words to describe each of us. Amen – let it be so!