“O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your ordinances” [Psalm 119.108 NASB]
There was a lull in the stress and tension of David's situation and he entered into the familiar dimension of praise and offering.
Actually, this is the area in which we should permanently live, but very often we permit external situations or internal moods to determine what our spiritual environment actually is.
There are two parts to this verse, praise and petition. Occasionally we reverse this pattern, especially when we are undergoing tests to our faith, giving and commitment. It is interesting to note that it was the former way that the Lord used in His teaching on the Lord's Prayer [Matthew 6.9-13].
It is only those who are spiritually free who are able to respond to God and man with liberality and generosity.
This was one of the major problems the Pharisees faced. They were bound by their own rules and regulations and when they came face to face with the life-giving Spirit of God they had no logical answer.
In the majority of his many varied situations, David adhered closely to the never-altering principle that praise opens the door into God's presence and then further instruction and revelation followed, which in turn would lead the participant to a deeper level of faith and commitment and this was then capped by another outburst of praise.
Whatever your situation is, do not let the enemy silence you. In fact, do the exact opposite. The truth is; your free will offering of praise will always nullify everything that he has manufactured, seen or unseen.
Are you in need of a word of instruction? Praise and trust. This was the pattern with which the Lord faced His darkest time and God brought Him safely through into the realm of light and fulfilment. [David McArdle]
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