by Dawn Smiling

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1

In the madness of life’s journeys and the challenges that are attached, Psalms 34:1 is truly one of my favorite verses.  David is speaking and sending a resounding message that he will bless the Lord at all times.  Really, what does that mean?  Do you really feel like giving God praise when it appears that your life has taken a detour you were not expecting?  God has a way of testing us through His scriptures.  It is so easy to read God’s word, but it is often a challenge to live it.  When you least expect it, a situation will arise that will make you question if God remembered you.  Just at the moment when you feel that everything is calm, there is a hidden storm brewing that gives you a feeling of being drenched by life’s curves.  It may be with family, our jobs, our finances, or our health.  There is always a challenge waiting in the wings.  How do you bless the Lord at all times, when you really feel the enemy has pulled the rug from under your feet?  Or when the enemy plays tug of war with your emotions or challenges your love for God. 

It seems God is always throwing a challenge my way.  I find myself asking God to go to someone else today, as I am backed up with enough tests in my life.  But God continues to challenge me, and I have come to appreciate His quest to see me grow.  Whether blessings are pouring out, or a storm of life’s disappointments appear, God is seeking my attention to Him.   As I bless the Lord at all times, a complaint cannot live long because the situation belongs to God. As I bless the Lord at all times, I am obedient to God’s word and instruction for me on any given day.  As you bless the Lord at all times, your tongue will not be subject to the enemy who insights gossip, or stating untruths.  As you bless the Lord at all times, you constantly remain in a place of acceptance of God’s will for your life.      

David said his praise shall continually be in his mouth.  David also said in Psalms 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” I feel a close connection between these scriptures.  David used the word might.  This means even though he knew the Lord and loved the Lord, there was still a possibility that he would make mistakes.  This speaks to the importance of keeping the word on the inside of us.  If the word is in you, you won’t use mere words to fight the enemy; you will use the words of God, and continually praise God for the manifestation of His word in your life, as you go through your daily challenges. 

Dawn Smiling enjoys volunteering at Grace Family Church as a prayer counselor, part of the soul care ministry, and as a table leader for Beautiful Monday Nights.