Nougat 19

Can you believe we’re at the end of this series?! I had to double check that we have truly reflected on these matters of the heart. In the face of comparison, and in difficult situations, we THROW our Trainable, Humble, Reliant, Obedient and Worshipful hearts to God. It’s not always easy to do so, but by God’s Spirit we press forward.

We are all – well most of us may be – familiar with the song ‘Heart of Worship’, describes how we ought to be. Today’s Holy Nougat helps us envision what this means.

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A Worshipper’s Heart

When we consider David’s repertoire, it is easy to see that he was a worshipper. He had it seems, a psalm for every situation. Even for us in the 21st century. He wrote about his reality, including fear and despair.

I’ll be honest – I have issues with David on some matters, but his gracious and forgiving nature are traits I need to emulate. Now we add another dimension to his faith journey. The introit to Psalm 34 advises that as David pretended lunacy to gain asylum with his enemy. Those who have followed David’s life realize that he went into hiding to avoid Saul, who wanted David dead.

In the face of such danger, it is not easy to remain worshipful. Bitterness is more likely a default response, or we mentally retreat from the world to safeguard our hearts.

David simply worshipped.

I will praise the Lord at all times invites us to praise YHWH in every situation. In war, in peace. In good times, in bad times. In grief, in pain, in sickness, in celebrating, in laughter, in good health. How? – we remind ourselves of what God has been doing in and for us. In Psalm 103, David told his soul of God’s blessings: healing, redemption from the pit (of hell perhaps), being crowned with love and mercy, filling him with good thing. These are some of the boasts our soul can make about God’s goodness.

We repeat until it becomes a natural way of life. For me, it’s gonna take a lifetime! And so, like David, I invite you to join me in worship. It’s the heart of the matter in matters of the heart!

—

May all we seek be found in Christ