Praise Is Life

Daily Devotional: Read Psalm 30

In the early 1970s, Charles Colson rose to power as Special Counsel to the President of the United States. But he came crashing down when he was indicted in the Watergate scandal.

After being sent to prison,

Sent to prison

Colson came to faith in Christ. Of that experience, he wrote, “My greatest humiliation—being sent to prison—was the beginning of God’s greatest use of my life; He chose the one thing in which I could not glory for His glory.”

David’s life followed a similar pattern. In Psalm 30, David recounts a time when he found himself in significant distress. He described being in the “realm of the dead” and on his way down “to the pit” (v. 3). Most commentators believe he experienced a serious illness. Upon reflection, David realized his downfall was due to his arrogance. Pride had been his downfall. He cried out to the Lord for mercy, and the Lord answered his prayer (v. 2).

What is most interesting in this psalm is one of the reasons David asked God to heal him. He told the Lord, “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you?” (v. 9). For David, life and death were more than just physical states. To be truly alive meant to live in right relation to God, praising Him. Death is described as a state where there is no longer any praise. David was overjoyed at the Lord’s answered prayer. The Lord turned his “wailing into dancing” so that “my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever” (vv. 11–12). Often, when the Lord answers our prayers, it can be easy to forget the situation we were in. David models the importance of giving public testimony to the Lord’s work in our life.

Go Deeper

Has the Lord answered your prayer recently? Let that be known. You’ll give God the glory and can be a great encouragement to others.

Pray with Us

Lord, thank You for the many times You have turned our wailing into dancing. Nothing is beyond Your control. What a privilege to speak to the Almighty!

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.

Psalm 30:11

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