Today’s reading is Psalm 30.
Psalm 23 ended with, “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” But what will we do there? Psalm 30 brings that home. It begins with “I will extol you, O Lord.” It ends with “O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” I have now seen one commentator who has noticed the series nature of Psalm 23-29 that we have noted. While I had been thinking Psalm 29 was the conclusion of the series, he suggests Psalm 30 may be. It’s title, which declares it as a song for the dedication of the house (possibly the temple as ESV translates it), may make a connection to this series that has been all about dwelling in the Lord’s house. He may well be correct. The ending of this psalm does call the ending of Psalm 23 to mind. Maybe Psalm 29 was the praise psalm declaring God to be the one who judges but makes distinctions on behalf of His covenant people while Psalm 30 is a thanksgiving psalm for God actually making the distinction and performing the deliverance. Even if it isn’t directly connected, can you see David’s reaction to his deliverance? Not, “I’ll give you thanks the next time I pray.” No, it is, “I’ll give thanks to You forever.” David was going to thank God over and over and over again. He was going to take every opportunity to thank God. And he planned on carrying that thanksgiving into eternity. Paul encourages us to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We don’t certainly know what particular deliverance David was thanking God for (though we might be able to make a good guess), but we absolutely know the deliverance we have God to thank for. In Jesus Christ, we are delivered from sin, Satan, and death. If David was going to thank God forever, what do you think we should do? Have you thanked God today?
Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 30.
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A Word for Our Kids
Hey kids, David concludes Psalm 30 with a promise to give thanks to God forever. What a fantastic commitment. However, when forever is on the table, we have a tendency to put off the beginning. I mean, if this is a habit that once it is started is going to be daily, continual, repeated forever, I’m not sure I want to start today. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe next week. Maybe when I’m older. I will do it forever, just not today. Do you think that is what David meant? I’ll give thanks to you forever starting tomorrow? …starting next week? …starting next year? Of course not. He meant “starting right now.” Can I encourage you to take some time right now to give thanks to God? What do you have to be thankful for? Are you breathing today? Did you eat today? Does your family have a church to be part of? Are your parents reading these posts and studying the Bible with you? Think of things you have to be thankful for; then give thanks. Start today.
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