Lay a Foundation of Faith

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Articles > Religion > Lay a Foundation of Faith

Published by Anonymous on 2007/12/23 (165 reads)

Problems come and go all the time - things will always change in your life and that is why it is so important to lay a foundation of praise.

David wrote Psalm 23, in which he recognized God as his Source for everything: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." David had a proper view of prosperity and life. The already-anointed king of Israel looked openly to God for his provision.

Your victory and recovery must begin internally, within your heart. Praise to God must be the foundation. All transformation is internal, first and foremost. Then the change becomes apparent externally, as well.

When you think about it, it makes sense that all change must come from inside, not from mere external actions. We see the same pattern in the natural realm. Scientists explain that you cannot change an element unless you change its nucleus. In order for a person to change, the nucleus or innermost self must change first. Knowing this, we should also realize that we cannot change ourselves simply by dealing with outward things. Too often, we seek to transform ourselves by adjusting the external aspects of our lives - our jobs, relationships, and hobbies - thinking these changes will bring growth, happiness, and newness to our lives. Permanent or real change only comes when the center of our being, our inner drives and motivations, undergoes transformation. Praise can bring that kind of change. As you choose to honor and adore Him, He is able to transform you from the inside out.

Look at David. All he had left was his God-given vision that one day he would become king. However, when the events recorded in 1 Samuel 22occurred, he was leading his tattered 3-D army. There was a good chance that he was about to lose his very life. Still, he praised God. That praise came welling up from deep within. It certainly didn't come as a result of the external circumstances.

There is a time when no one can encourage you like you can encourage yourself, reaching deep inside for God's secret provision. People can talk to you and counsel with you. They can pray for you. Thank God for that external help. But eventually everything comes down to your direct, unfathomable, intimate relationship with the creator.

When everything seems to be going wrong, remember the benefits and goodness of God. David praised God by saying, "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Psalm 103:1-2).

Too often people have a horizontal, external viewpoint, not a vertical, internal one. They look around at all the problems - the price of fuel, unemployment statistics, always-fluctuating markets, wars, the Middle East, and crime rates. It is no wonder people wallow in distress, debt, and discontentment. When we look at the worst of things, especially all the external problems, we find things getting worse.

Problems come and go all the time. External things constantly change. That is why it is so important to lay a foundation of praise, an underlying base or support upon which you are grounded. Praise builds the base under you where you can stand strong in faith when trouble comes.

Contributed by Benny Hinn

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