Psalm 34:1I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
What is the pattern? Bless, praise and give glory first, then present requests and see deliverance. Do you see it?
Praise here:
Psalm 34:1I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
Requests and Deliverance here:
4I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Do we see this pattern anywhere else in the Word? Yes:
Phil 4:4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
What do we see^^? Rejoice...first. Then we see asking by prayer and petition with thanksgiving.
Your praise, and rejoicing and thanksgiving are like incense that sweetens the smell of the throne room and prepares it for the delivery of your requests to the King.
| ... stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. |
The Lord has given us a 'how to' now we just have to follow the pattern He has given us to be successful. This is not a mathematical formula where if you get one thing wrong the whole thing falls apart. The Lord supports us in our weakness, we have an intercessor named Jesus Christ the King of Kings and we have a counselor named the Holy Spirit to help us. With all that help we should be encouraged to fight on, to continue to get up and struggle through the ups and downs of our daily walk knowing that if we hold on we will see our victory. Just hold on! Don't give up.
grace and peace
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