Psalm 71:8

Sons;

A verse worth considering, when we think about "how to be," is Psalm 71:8 - "My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your glory all day long."  At first it seems to be hyperbole, and I think that we should be willing to give David a little poetic license.  This verse always reminds me of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "pray without ceasing."  Paul and David look like they are on the same page (and of course, Paul would have been familiar with Psalm 71).  

But, they have to be kidding, right?  After all, one cannot literally pray without ceasing, or say "Praise God" and nothing else all day.  Our minds cannot do that: attention has to be given to more mundane things like work and school, driving and writing, and all the other little things we do.  So, what's the point of saying something that can't be done?  Or, are we perhaps misreading?

David and Paul are, I believe, talking more about our attitude than any specific action. Do we have a "state of mind" that is one of praising God, so that the words we say and the actions we do are always carried out in ways that praise Him?  Do we continually have a "state of mind" of prayer, so that we aware of God's presence and engage in communication with Him?  We should try to live so that praise and prayer are always only a thought away from becoming the very real words we think and speak.  In that way, we are living out the ideas of these two writers.

To what end?  It makes us better - we become closer to God because we think about Him as being part of all that we do, and thus we become kinder to others and are blessed by Him.  It makes others better - our lives become a statement of faith that others can see and emulate.  It makes the world better - by doing God's will (the result of such praise and prayer), we further His objectives in the world.  So, three very good reasons to fill our mouths, and minds, with praising and thanking God!  

As leaders, we need to cultivate these states of mind, because it is our job to be the example to those who look up to us. 

Love,

Dad