43 You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations; people I did not know are subject to me. 44 As soon as they hear me, they obey me; foreigners cringe before me. 45 They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds. 46 The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! 47 He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, 48 who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. 49 Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD; I will sing praises to your name. 50 He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.

Living in Alabama, it is not unusual to see a bumper sticker or hear someone say “Roll Tide” or “War Eagle.” If you were to visit my office you see a picture of Bobby Bowden and a lot of FSU things. When we see these we think to ourselves that person is a Bama or Auburn or a Noles fan. That is acceptable and perhaps even good. What about when we see a bumper sticker or hear someone say “Praise the Lord”? What do we think then? Do we think that person is a religious fanatic? We claim to be Christians, above all else, and then cower down at the thought of being called a “fan” of God or of Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Where is our real allegiance?

David regularly enjoyed the blessings, the protection, the provisions and all that God did for him. In return he gave regular praises to the Lord. Today we enjoy more blessings, on a regular basis, that we can count or even imagine. Do we give God the praise and the glory? Often we are quick to ask for his help and his blessings but how quick are we to be thankful to him? Perhaps this is why Paul said we are to let our request be known with thanksgiving. We serve a God who made us and who provides all our physical needs. In addition to this, he has made provision that we can live forever with him in a blissful state that is so magnificent that we cannot even begin to imagine it.

Do you like to be on a winning team? Just join up with God. He has already won every victory for every battle and contest that can ever come. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4

O Lord, I thank you and praise you for all you continue to do for me each day. I thank you for your forgiveness in Jesus. I thank you for my home and my family. I thank you for my friends and for fellow Christians. I thank you for my job and all of the material blessings it allows. I thank you for your love for every person who has ever lived. I praise you for your greatness, your majesty, your power and wisdom. Increase my faith. In Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we live for him and praise him today.