Psalm 108:3-4

 

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
    I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

David, musician and warrior king, praises God from the overflow of his heart.  He says "I will" 4 times in the first 3 verses; he's determined to start his praise session before the sun comes up! No one will be "safe" from hearing his praises.  😍 But he knows, even if he praises 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year, he will never be able to match the determined, committed, reliable love of our faithful God.  In fact, even a hint of comparison leads David to lift God's name even higher--above the heavens and over all the earth!  David also has a burden on his heart--salvation for his people, the nation he leads.  David quotes himself from Psalm 60, written as Israel battled against Moab, Edom, and Philistia. These battles seemed to ebb and flow, often because of the rise and fall of Israel's commitment to God. David even starts to doubt as he considers this promise and the timing of it's fulfillment.  He starts to  wonder if Israel has been rejected and abandoned by God.  But, just as quickly, David returns to confidence in the One who helps and saves.  He alone has the strength to lead Israel to victory.  

I love to watch the British royals.  I watched all 3 royal weddings, was way too emotionally invested in the divorce of Charles and Diana, and cried my eyes out at Princess Diana's funeral.   What makes royalty so fascinating? It seems so dreamy and make believe and unattainable.  But this king...I understand him.  His words and emotions ring so true.  I make grand promises--"I'll get up early every morning and read my Bible."  "I'll take every opportunity to tell others about you."  My heart is stubbornly determined to follow through.   And just as I'm on the spiritual high that comes from a close walk with God, BAM!!  I allow doubt and fear to take His spot. And turns out my heart is just as stubbornly determined to follow through with that, too.  😓  Only God's heart is always stubbornly right.  He is absolutely unwavering when it comes to His glory and our good!  He has everything mapped out, always right and always right on time.  And even though our commitment ebbs and flows, His doesn't.  With God we will perform valiantly; He will trample our foes.  Praise Him!