Aligning Yourself with God

            We’ve been talking about where living without God affects us the most: in relationships (see Rejecting God Leads to Broken Relationships , and Why Are Your Relationships Disappointing).

            Thus, it would behoove you to make sure that you are aligning yourself with God. We’ll come back to that shortly…

            As you recall, King Saul had disobeyed God; and in response, Jehovah lifted His favor off of the king’s rule. Saul continued to falter in his obedience throughout the remaining decade and a half years of his reign. Because of that, God transferred His favor to a 15-year-old sheepherder named David (1 Sam. 16:13, 14.)

            Saul was troubled because of the loss of the peace of God’s Spirit. So, his servants just happened to find this sheepherder, who was also a highly skilled harpist. When David played for the king, Saul was able to have temporary relief from his spiritual suffering.

            King Saul grew to love David like a son and made him his personal armor-bearer.

Shortly after that, the Philistines once again challenged Israel to battle. This time, they presented their champion, a ten-foot tall warrior named Goliath, proposing that he meet Israel’s champion in combat.

            Trouble was, there was no one in the Israeli army who had the courage to face him. However, when David got wind of this, he was furious:

“Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Sam. 17:26 NLT

            Armed with only a slingshot, David kills Goliath. The people heap praise upon him, which stirs up a jealous wrath in King Saul – who subsequently tries to kill David on a number of occasions.

            David, now 20 years old, escapes and puts together a 400-man army to independently fight the Philistines. All the while, he never raised a hand against his king.

            Eventually, King Saul was killed in a skirmish against the Philistines; and the now 33-year old David was made king over Israel. He ruled from Jerusalem, (now called the City of David).

God filled King David with His Spirit, enabling him to be His master psalm writer.

            A psalm is a sacred song, used for worshiping God, a love song for connecting with Him, to share our innermost thoughts and concerns. It is one of the ways that we can align ourselves with God:

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD. Ps. 105:1 – 3. NLT

Come, let’s shout joyfully to the LORD, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving; let’s shout triumphantly to him in song…Come, let’s worship and bow down; let’s kneel before the LORD our Maker. For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the sheep under his care. Ps. 95:1, 2 & 6, 7. CSB.

            How you worship is your own personal choice – privately, in church, singing, making music, or dancing. As long as you are not trying to appear pious, Jehovah loves your expressions of worship. Even your behavior can be a form of worship:

…present your bodies to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Rm. 12:1 CSB

           Is there a certain time that we are to worship God?

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall be continually in my mouth. Ps. 34:1 NKJV

            When we call out to our Creator, He surrounds us with Himself:

Know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him…I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, LORD, make me live in safety. Ps. 4:3 & 8. CSB

            And He guides us in His path to our highest and best life:

God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect…You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my path under me; so my feet did not slip. 2 Sam. 22:33, 36, 37. NKJV

            Yet, even the best life will have low points. If we align with Jehovah, He will deliver us from them:

He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy…He rescued me because He delighted in me. Ps. 18:16, 17 & 19. NASB

            It’s always about the alignment:

Depart from evil and do good; and you will dwell [securely in the land] forever. For the LORD delights in justice and does not abandon His saints (faithful ones); they are preserved forever. Ps. 37:27, 28. AMP

            Jehovah loves to hear your praises, your efforts to align with Him, because it demonstrates your love and desire to stay in relationship with Him:

Make a joyful shout to the LORD; all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who made us and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name! For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Ps. 100 NKJV

            And He has a lovingly wonderful plan just for you:

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Ps. 139:16 NLT

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me… Ps. 138:8

            To begin this relationship, it’s up to you to invite your heavenly Father into having one:

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Ps. 127:1 ESV

            So, if you are aligning yourself with God, you are in relationship with Him, and are ready to be in good relationships with others. This is what He promises:

The LORD is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Ps. 23 NKJV

            Yet, in spite of all the Holy Spirit inspiration that King David was in possession of, he was still but a human being; and he momentarily fell out of alignment. Where did that affect him? In relationships.

Next time…            

Goodnight and God bless.