By Your Favor...

 6 Now in my prosperity I said,

"I shall never be moved."

7 LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong;

You hid Your face, and I was troubled.

8 I cried out to You, O LORD;

And to the LORD I made supplication:

9 "What profit is there in my blood,

When I go down to the pit?

Will the dust praise You?

Will it declare Your truth?

10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me;

LORD, be my helper!"

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.—Psalm 30:6-12 (emphasis mine)

Verse 6 got me thinking on my own sinful, self-governing, and self-aggrandizing thoughts and attitudes. Would that I would always remember that it was and is only God’s favor that enables me to stand.  Father, as you did for David, bring me back to where my glory sings only your praise. Bring me back, as Matt Redman’s song aptly puts it, to the heart of worship. 

I'm coming back to the heart of worship

And it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it

When it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

For “I” died, and “my” life is now hidden with Christ in God.  By Your grace and Your grace alone, I am who I am.  I will give thanks to You forever.  

Hold me up, and I shall be safe,

And I shall observe Your statutes continually.—Psalm 119:117

35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;

Your right hand has held me up,

Your gentleness has made me great.

36 You enlarged my path under me,

So my feet did not slip.—Psalm 18:35-36

You have granted me life and favor,

And Your care has preserved my spirit.—Job 10:12

I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;

My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.

8 I have set the LORD always before me;

Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;—Psalm 16:7-9a

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.—2 Corinthians 12:7-10