Let Your Balloon Go!

Read: 2 Samuel 22:1-8

I will give thanks to You, O LORD, ... and sing praises to Your name. --- 2 Samuel 22:50

The Bible In One Year:
1 Samuel 15-16
Luke 10:25-42

The participants at a conference in a church in Nebraska were given helium-filled balloons and told to release them at a point in the worship service when they felt like expressing their joy. All through the service, balloons ascended one by one. But when the meeting was over, one-third of the people had not released their balloons. I wonder if they couldn't think of any reason to praise God.

King David would have let go of his balloon when singing his song of praise recorded in 2 Samuel 22. God had delivered him from all his enemies [v.1]. Earlier, when hiding from King Saul in the rocky desert, he had learned that true security is found only in God [1 Samuel 23:25]. David's heard had to "give thanks" and "sing praises," for the Lord had become David's rock, fortress, deliverer, strong-hold, refuge, and Savior [2 Samuel 22:2-3,50].

What has the Lord been for you throughout your life? Your peace in a chaotic time? Your comforter amid loss? Your forgiver of a sinful choice? Your strength in a difficult task?

Take out a piece of paper and write down your list of thanks. Then take time to praise God for all He is and all He has done.

Let your balloon go! --- Anne Cetas

From your heart give God your praise
For His blessings all your days;
Lift your voice to God above ---
God of mercy, God of love. --- Hess

PRAISE IS THE OVERFLOW OF A JOYFUL HEART.