Who cares?

"For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people.  And I will hope in your name, for your name is good."  Psalm 52:9

I found this verse interesting this morning.  It is attributed to David.  You know the guy: slays giants and lions and bears.  He's nicknamed, a man after God's own heart and is often thought of as a beacon of faith.  So when I came to this verse, I was surprise to see him emphasize that he would praise "in the presence of your faithful people."

As I've said before I tend to think about things or settle on thoughts that many can easily glass over.  But this part got me thinking this morning.  It's easy to praise God in the presence of His faithful people.  I don't have any problem at church or my son's Christian school, talking about all God has done in my life or daily is doing.  With close Christian friends, prayer partners or other confessed believers, I talk about the miracles I've seen.

But why does it stop there?  Why can I offer to pray to anyone, but fear praising who He is?  Why do I worry about how others will take that?  Why do any of us believe that only believers can understand? Even behind the glass on social media, I feel like I have to weigh my words.  What if people don’t like what I have to say?  What if they doubt my words?  What if they make fun of my childlike faith?  Why do I care what they think?  Do their thoughts change who I am?  The reality is that He is the core of who I am.  I wake up every morning and am able to put one foot in front of the other, because of the hope I have in Him.   I try to live every moment, base every decision, walk every day in who He created me to be.  I may fail (often and sometimes hugely) but His grace allows me to try again.

Abba, I am going turn this psalm around. I will hope in your name for it is good.  And for all you have done, I will praise your name to all people.  Thank you for your patience with my insecurity.  Thank you for your mercy when I fail.  Thank you blessing me when I don’t deserve it.  Thank you for your grace and your strength as I face the giants.  May my faith overcome my fear and praise you.  Amen.