The Upper Room Daily Devotionals from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "MAGNIFY THE LORD" for Saturday, 7 May 2016 with Scripture: Psalm 34:1-10

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "MAGNIFY THE LORD" for Saturday, 7 May 2016 with Scripture: Psalm 34:1 (0) By David, when he pretended to be insane before Avimelekh, who then drove him away; so he left:
2 (1) I will bless Adonai at all times;
his praise will always be in my mouth.
3 (2) When I boast, it will be about Adonai;
the humble will hear of it and be glad.
4 (3) Proclaim with me the greatness of Adonai;
let us exalt his name together.
5 (4) I sought Adonai, and he answered me;
he rescued me from everything I feared.
6 (5) They looked to him and grew radiant;
their faces will never blush for shame.
7 (6) This poor man cried; Adonai heard
and saved him from all his troubles.
8 (7) The angel of Adonai, who encamps
around those who fear him, delivers them.
9 (8) Taste, and see that Adonai is good.
How blessed are those who take refuge in him!
10 (9) Fear Adonai, you holy ones of his,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
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The psalmist wrote, “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!”[Psalm 34:3 (NRSV)]
As a teenager I regularly attended my church’s Wednesday night prayer meeting. Each week during the sharing time an elderly man, Mr. Hamel, would invariably stand to his feet and with a confident voice recite Psalm 34:3, “O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together.” Then he would share an experience from the past week that attested to God’s faithfulness and goodness. He did not request prayer regarding his needs or problems; his focus was solely on God’s magnificence.
Sometimes our problems can seem insurmountable. And they may be, if we rely on our strength alone. But the God who promises to sustain and deliver us is greater than the trials that beset us. When we stop focusing on our difficulties and view our present circumstances through the word of God, the magnitude of our problems will diminish and the magnificence of our God will become apparent. Then, even during the trials of life, we can testify to God’s goodness and faithfulness.
The Author: Wayne Greenawalt (Illinois, USA)
Thought for the Day: Today I will focus on God’s magnificence.
Prayer: Almighty God, help us remember your power and love and to praise you in every situation. Amen.
Prayer focus: SOMEONE WHOSE FAITH INSPIRES ME---------------------