Vital signs- Thursday, May 18th, 2023

Psalm 18 and 2 Samuel 22 are nearly identical. 2 Samuel records David’s personal song, and Psalm 18 records it as a song of praise for deliverance for the whole nation of Israel. When we remember how God faithfully answered our prayers and came through for us in the past, it gives us the courage to overcome our present fears. Through practice, we can learn to praise God in advance for the ways He is working to calm our fears and deal with our issues before we even see those answers.

While prayers of honest lament help us define and express our fears, prayers of praise can also act as an antidote for unhealthy fear. As we rehearse God’s past goodness in our lives, thank Him specifically for His awesome characteristics, or sing songs of worship, we may find our fears moving farther into the background of our minds as God comes into the center. Chuck Swindoll writes, “When we have God in clear focus, His powerful presence eclipses our fear.” As we remind ourselves that God never changes, that He loves us, champions us, and always has good plans for us no matter the circumstances, our prayers can shift toward praise that ushers in His peace.

Ask Yourself:

-How have you seen praising God lead you to peace when you are afraid?

“But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬