Title: Let’s Awaken the Dawn!
Psalms 57 is written by King David. In verse 7-8, we can see that David was determined to sing praises to God and ordered his glory to be awakened. It was the moment when he hid himself in a cave away from King Saul’s chase (Psalms 57:1).
It was the moment when he was not sure whether he should come out from the cave or stay inside longer. The situation was so difficult and hard that David said that he is under destruction
However, what was amazing was that David was determined to sing songs for God under desruption and in such hopeless situation. As a result, God protected him all the way through. There are 4 things David confessed before God.
- My heart is steadfast (Psalms 7:7)
A steadfast heart signifies firstly my heart is firm, unwavering and unchanging. Secondly, my heart is convinced. In most cases of our life, the reason why we become insecure and anxious is because we feel that we are alone. Because of the feeling that we are isolated or left alone, we become anxious and restless. David, in the cave, felt that he was alone and there were no other people who could help David. However, he firmed his heart and made his mind to think and believe that ‘I am not alone’; I am accompanied with God and walking with God.
- I will sing praises (Psalms 57:7-8)
Hebrew word for ‘glory’ is ‘Kabod’ which means ‘heavy’ or ‘glorious’. He was determined to sing praises to God, yet there is no mood and no atmosphere. So, he ordered himself, his heart, his brain, his organs, his body, his mouth, his hands and his feet to start playing musical instruments and start singing and praising God. Just like when he praised God, the evil spirit that was in Saul departed from him. He was desiring eagerly to praise God like that once again. He was ordering all his body and talents to wake up and create a worshipful atmosphere (1 Samuel 16:22-23).
While we are having online services and online worship, do not be an observer behind the screen but let’s become worshippers. God desires to receive praise and worship from each of you. When you are sick, even if you want to praise God, it may not be possible. So, while we have chance, let’s play instruments and use your body to worship and praise God.
- I will give thanks (Psalms 57:9)
David confessed and determined to give thanks to God. When David decided to give thanks to God, it means that he decided to come out from the heart of sorrow, disappointment, anger, upset, complaint, grumble, worries and anxiety.
Hebrew word for ‘thanksgiving’ is ‘Todah’ which means ‘to stretch our hands (to give something)’. So, when it comes to the thanksgiving, we must give God something and we must offer God something.
Firstly, we must offer our souls to God. We must give our souls as a thanksgiving offering to God. Secondly, we must offer our body to God. We must serve diligently with our body as a thanksgiving offering to God. Thirdly, we must offer our materials to God that is give God an offering money.
The complete thanksgiving that God receives is to give God these three things together: our soul, our body, and our money. Thanksgiving is our duty and at the same time, is God’s demand (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). We are the believers of Jesus Christ which means that we live to fulfill God’s will in our life.
God says that His will is for us to give thanks in everything. God demands us to give thanks to God in everything.
Conclusion:
Let’s awaken the dawn
Psalms 57:8 Awake, my glory; Awake, harp and lyre, I will awaken the dawn!
David confessed that he will awaken the dawn. David literally meant that he is going to wake up in the early morning to worship God. Why is it important? Because God promised that He will help us when morning dawns (Psalms 46:5).
David was in the cave and being chased by Saul. Even if he wakes up early in the morning, there is not much things to do. The only thing he could do perhaps was to breathe quietly so that he won’t be spotted. Yet, David decided to wake up in the early morning. It shows 3 things. Firstly, he decided to begin his day with God. Secondly, he decided to begin his day with God’s grace. The first mood or the first emotion we have when waking up determines the mood of the rest of day. When we wake up with worries, that mood goes on throughout the day. If we begin our day with God’s grace, things will go well and the straight highway will be given to our business. Thirdly, he decided to change his spiritual time to the early morning. It means he will regard all his day dawn time. For example, it is 6pm already and we encountered the very difficult issue or situation that brings us down to spiritual darkness. But by faith, if we proclaim that is the dawn and the light will shine in our day, then even 6pm will become spiritual dawn for us.
Exodus 14:24-25 At the morning watch, the Lord looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion. He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from Israel, for the Lord is fighting for them against the Egyptians.”
God helped the Israelites in the early morning and destroyed all the enemies. If we become the people of dawn in both physical and spiritual sense, God will help us and destroy all the enemies around us, and will deliver us from the time of great difficulty safe and unharmed.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 