God Promises You More

Psalms 138:1-3 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. 2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. 3 When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.
 
WHEN David conquered Goliath, we learn of David’s bold, stouthearted faith: 1 Samuel 17:37 “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And 1 Samuel 17:45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied…46d and the whole world will know that there is God in Israel.”
   David boldly exalted God’s name in the sheepfold and on the battlefield. To exalt God’s name is to say, “I trusted in the LORD’s promises. He answered me far above my expectations. And I will make his name known. God is abundantly gracious and kind.” The apostle Paul wrote it this way in Ephesians 3:19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. This is a joyous blessing to your Christian life. Receive it with God’s purpose and power.
   David’s successes became building blocks for a bold, vocal faith. In response to God’s constant help, David stoutly stood on God’s promises, following the LORD’s commands.
   We should all exalt Christ, shouldn’t we? Declaring all he has done for our physical and eternal life will make us more aware of the ways he has abundantly answered our prayers. These answered prayers become our own building blocks to a bolder faith. Boldness exalts Jesus, who God exalted to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. (Philippians 2:9) People who regularly pray see God answer their prayers. As David, they become eager to testify to the church and to the world of the living God’s power.  
   Prayer is a learned means of God’s grace that allows us to communicate with him. Good communication demands regular effort. God wants you to know that persistent prayer will make you bold and stouthearted to exalt his name.