Exalted Be My God!

Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 22

Scripture Focus: The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation. (2 Samuel 22.47)

Devotional Thought: This story was told to me by Missionary, Harmon Schmelzenbach. I am relating it by memory, so I ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies…

Outside the king of Mozambique's palace walls, a warrior danced, singing the praises of the king. On and on he went, until the king thought he would wear himself out with exhaustion. He gave the warrior food and drink. “Food from the king’s table? Water from the king’s cistern? How could it be?” The warrior just redoubled his efforts! Dust and feathers flew everywhere. Perspiration gleamed from the warrior’s dark skin.

To show his appreciation of the warrior’s exuberant praise, the king ordered that goats be brought as a gift to the warrior - as a way to bring his exhausting tribute to an end. “A gift from the king’s flocks?” The warrior danced and sang and shouted all the more in the African heat. To get the warrior out of there, the king called his servants to get his car and take him home, giving him a gift of cattle as well. As he was driven off down the road, with his gifts of cattle and goats following, the warrior had his head out the window, shouting the king’s praises!

Who was that warrior? He had been framed for a crime he had not committed. The king had investigated the case, reversed the sentence, and given him justice. The man had come all the way across the country on foot to praise the king.

That’s how David felt about the Lord, in 2 Samuel 22. He just couldn’t praise God enough!

What about you and me? Do we feel that way about our King? Jesus Christ has taken our guilt upon himself!

Prayer: Blessed are you, O Lord, my rock! May you be exalted, O rock of my salvation! Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 106.1-5

1 Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise? 3 Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!

4 Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; help me when you save them, 5 that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.