If something is vexing your spirit, you have to get it out of your system. Sinful vices as well as most things not in moderation and even prolonged sorrow can all be cancerous to your spirit from God. Do not let anything hinder your praise.We have read through many complaints of David about various adversaries unto this point in the book of Psalms. These have been intermingled with expressions of devotion. Certainly we do (and we should) seek God for deliverance when we are down-trodden. However there is a sometimes overlooked principle of holy imbalance that applies to spiritual growth.Although the natural inclination of life is to find balance and symmetry, it is the holy imbalance of praise to all other expressions (like 3 parts praise to 1 part petition (for example)), that propels the mind to Christ. It is certainly not the will of God that our lamentations outweigh our praise completely. The perpetual inequality of praise with all else is that praise should always be the heavyweight (and not the heavy weight – since praise is comely for the upright) that aids our light going. In other words, not only should praise serve to usher in the balm of Gilead that heals our wounded soul; but it should also be used as a tool in that spiritual warfare that is our responsibility – for by praise we can also overcome our enemies. If it were not so, we would not be able to fulfill the will of God, that we not allow both blessing and cursing to proceed from the same mouth. If we are not to curse our enemies; if the battle is truly the Lord’s (YES IT IS!!), then there must be a more excellent way for us to participate in victory with our prophesier (mouth – ). Else, the word could not be true (AND IT IS).

If you feel a Jericho in your life, like a fenced city between you God, you have His permission to march around that city and sing. The battle is the Lord’s. We were created to praise Him. When we do our part, the God of all creation is faithful to perform His very word. Let your praise outweigh your petition. Ask. Yes. Ask and it shall be given. Seek. Yes. Seek and ye shall find. Knock. Yes. Knock and it shall be opened unto you. But in all your getting, get an understanding. We make our petition known to God who alone is able to accomplish exceeding and abundantly above all that we ask or even think. AND, we let our praise outweigh our petition.

Health and wellness: If you drink a can of Soda (Pop), you will need to drink at least ten times that much water to reset your internal filter (rinse cycle). If your mind is a filter for your heart, how much praise do you think is required to “rinse” away the residue of cancerous thoughts and deeds?

What we see manifesting in these mid-eighties Psalms is a change in the atmosphere of praise. There is progressively less giving of lamentation over the works of enemies – though their heckling is apparently not altogether ceased. Now we see more of David’s true heart – which was sometime hidden. The first verse of Psalm 86 identifies it as “a prayer” of David, rather than a song. We know that prayers can be sung and since David was an avid songwriter, he likely did sing prayers also, at least some of the time. However this notation is another cue to a different plain. The atmosphere that evokes the presence of the Holy Spirit is concentrated. It is a pure and true example of how God “inhabits” praise. His glory fills the air as you read, speak and meditate on sincerely praising Him. Psalm 86:4 captures David at his best, saying, “I lift up my soul.” He is not lifted up, like puffed up in pride. He is rendering to God in totality, what he acknowledges (and rightly so) to be the possession of God – his very soul. We would liken this phrase to, “I surrender all.” There is a clear tone of a heart in reverence; a heart that cries out to the living God, knowing full well that he (or she) is speaking to that One who is worthy: The Almighty. You can almost see David standing in awe. Beloved, this is where our true power comes from –  not from our wealth or braun or by carrying a big stick.

It is in our surrender to God that we find we are stronger than ever. Because He is our strength.

Like the hills and valleys many of us have faced, David does not stay on this mountain top all the time. Yet the example is worth repeating as often as possible, for this is where the just cross over, from praise to worship.

‎23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24

Motivational speakers want to be sought-after keynoters. This is an honor in a bureau of toastmasters. Actors want to be sought after too. A memorable performance is as good as Golden Globe. Singers want to be sought after artists. Double platinum is the new “black.” But God, the creator of heaven and earth, seeks after those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. What an honor, to be sought of God Himself.

PSALM 85:9-13

9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. 13Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

PSALM 84

1 <> How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. 4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. 6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. 8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. 9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. 10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.