Day 85: 1 Chronicles 29:10–20

“Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the hearts of Your people, and confirm their hearts toward You” (v. 18).

Surely time stood still in David’s mind as the people fell prostrate before the Lord and before the king. Close your eyes for a moment and picture the scene. Keep the picture like a snapshot in your memory.

We’ve waited through more than fifty years of David’s life to witness an entire kingdom in unity before God! As we compare verses 9 and 20, we know that David was the one to whom Scripture referred as “king.” All the people fell before the Lord and His beloved David, God’s first choice, a man after His own heart.

So there David stood, a man of many years and experiences. His legs trembled with illness and age. His heart blazed with emotion. The streets of the city of God were paved with praises, blanketed with the prostrate bodies of all who called Jehovah their God.

May we never forget the awesome benefits of authentic praise. God desires our praises for many reasons, but I believe among the most vital are these two.

1. Praise reminds us who He is. When I am overwhelmed and wonder if God can see me through, He often calls on me to rehearse out loud—before His ears and mine—some of His many virtues:

• His wonders in the lives of those recorded in the Word.

• His wonders in my own life.

• His wonders in the lives of those I know.

I proclaim out loud His greatness and His power and His glory. Then when I consider my need compared to His strength and bounty, I can proclaim with confidence the words of the prophet Jeremiah: “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you” (Jer. 32:17).

2. Praise reminds us who we are. Praise is an exercise in perspective. Notice David’s words in verse 14: “But who am I?” Authentic praise works every time! Things seem to fall right into perspective. I don’t believe you can truly praise and worship without ending up with a humbled heart.