September 11, 2022
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD. The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Psalm 34:2
In the creation account, we learn that we are souls (Genesis 2:7). A body which has the breath of life is a soul. King David, after being anointed as king but before occupying the throne, often had to run for his life and hide from Saul and his jealousy. David’s faith in the LORD and praise for Him often surfaced in the form of songs and hymns, for David loved music. Though not yet king in the eyes of the people, he recognized the possibility of his influence over some. The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
David understood that he was mortal. He knew the Scriptures and, like Job, admitted he did not know everything. But both Job and David knew the One Who does know all!
As long as my breath is in me, and the breath of God is in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. Job 27:3-4
The dead do not praise the LORD, nor any who go down into silence. Psalm 115:17
David poignantly made the point that the time to boast in the LORD and praise the LORD is now, as long as we have breath! Once a soul meets Him, that soul is instantly qualified to say to others:
Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:3,8
The devil, the instigator of all sin, wants to remind us of our sins in order to discourage us from speaking boldly of the LORD to others. In his craftiness, he is working his evil on multiple levels. He will lead you into sin, then accuse you before God for sinning. Then he will discourage and belittle you by replaying your sins while saying, “You’re just a loser. Who are you to speak of the goodness of God?”
The wiles of the devil are too much for mere humans to overcome. We cannot stand against him in our own power. But, as living, breathing souls, we can choose to go to God as our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1), for blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
The next time you sense the devil trying to silence you, think of the woman at the well (John 4:6-30). Jesus knew her current sinful situation and past. During their conversation, she realized He knew all about her, yet she felt His love for her. It was real. Genuine! Beloved, when you confess your sins, you are telling Him what He already knows. A confession to Him is simply agreeing with Him about the subject of your sin, from which He is willing and able to free you. Then, like that joyful woman, you will be ready to say:
Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did . . . John 4:29a