Read Psalm 59:14-17. 14Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. 15They wander about for food and growl if they do not get their fill. 16But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. 17O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
What is our appropriate response to God’s salvation? Singing. David’s (and God’s) enemies howl and growl but David sings, shouts, and praises the Lord. Such exuberant praise comes only with divine assurance. Assurance of God’s steadfast love for us in Christ, and assurance of his fortified life securing us in the refuge of his grace. The dogs prowl around the city but David rests in the citadel of God’s covenant promises, as do we in Jesus.
How does our heart find its way through the dark city streets as the dogs of life pursue us? How do we find rest in times of distress? Through praise. We praise our way into the fortress of Christ. We sing of God’s strength. We sin of God’s unconditional love for us. We sing of his glorious deeds. We sing of our faith in the cross of Christ and the new life he has placed inside us by his Spirit. We sing in the morning for his mercies are waiting for us there.
To live is Christ is a life of singing, shouting, and praising God for all that he has done for us in Christ. Such praise shuts the mouths of dogs and protects the heart of the one who is beloved in Jesus.
Prayer. Jesus, I will sing and shout my praise to you today. Teach me to sing. Teach me the song of your love. Let my praise overcome my fears and produce faith in you. Amen.
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To Live is Christ 