Summer in the Psalms - Psalm 138

When I Need to Remember God is Still God

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An unwanted phone call...

Hearing a boss say, "Can you step into my office?"...

Another bill in the mail...

A grim test result...

My friend, Dr. Gladys Childs, is familiar with that last one. She understands how our circumstances can try to shake us and make us want to do anything and everything except the one thing we need to do - praise God.

I know - how backwards it sounds! When we hang up from the unwanted phone call, we want to cry or chuck the phone across the room, praising God is not even a distant thought. It's not even a seedling of a thought in this moment.

And this is why we're talking about this today. In hopes praise will become the seedling and even more - our very response to life's circumstances - the good and the hard. For our circumstances do not change the foundation of our faith: God is still God.

Dr. Gladys Childs, the 'Truth Doctor,' meets people at the crossroads of faith and life’s challenges, offering clarity, hope, and practical wisdom. As a Religion professor, pastor’s wife, author, speaker, and mom, she empowers individuals to navigate life’s toughest moments with unwavering truth and faith. Learn more at gladyschilds.com. Follow on Instagram or Facebook.

She stood in the hospital parking lot, trembling and tearful. Her mother’s test results were grim, and fear threatened to overwhelm her. But then a thought broke through: Praise Him anyway. With a shaky voice, she whispered, “Thank You, Lord, for being with us, no matter what.” In that fragile moment, praise became her lifeline, not because everything was okay, but because God was still God.

Psalm 138 is a vibrant call to praise, pushing us deeper than surface-level gratitude. It challenges us to honor not only with our words but with our whole being—a response shaping how we live, especially in the messiest seasons. In verse one, David begins with this declaration: “I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise.”

Wholehearted praise doesn’t wait for perfect circumstances. It invites us to bring everything—our joy, doubt, and pain—to the One who holds it all. When we approach God with raw honesty, we discover an intimacy transforming us from the inside out.

David continues in verse two,

I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness. - Psalm 138:2

David's focus shifts from God’s deeds to His character—steadfast love and unshakable faithfulness. These qualities become the bedrock of our praise, especially when life feels unsteady. But how often do we pause and reflect on how God’s unchanging love has carried us through? When we anchor our hearts in who God is, gratitude flows naturally, even in seasons of uncertainty.

But let’s be honest: praise isn’t always easy. In verse three, David’s words remind us of this truth:

On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. - Psalm 138:3

Praise often starts as a choice, not a feeling. In moments of heartbreak or weariness, when it feels impossible to lift our eyes, we find that God strengthens us—not necessarily by removing the hardship but by filling us with His peace. It’s like a weary traveler finding an unexpected oasis; praise refreshes the soul, drawing us back to the One who sustains us.

David doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the trouble surrounding him in verse seven:

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies. - Psalm 138:7

Here, praise isn’t denial—it’s defiance. It’s declaring that God is bigger than the storm, even when the waves are crashing. Remember moments when you couldn’t see the way forward, yet God carried you through. Those are the fingerprints of His faithfulness, worthy of our praise.

Praise is more than a song; it’s a posture. It’s how we live in response to God’s presence and goodness. It doesn’t ignore pain but proclaims His nearness in it. As we choose to praise, even in hardship, we grow stronger, and our hearts become more resilient. Praise isn’t just for God’s glory—it’s for our transformation.

Today, let’s praise God with our whole selves—not just the polished parts but the broken, raw pieces, too. Let’s thank God for His faithfulness, steadfast love, and presence in every moment of our journey. In doing so, we’ll find that praise changes not only our circumstances but also us.

Call to Action:

This week, do one thing to praise God: Write down the ways He has shown His love. Sing a worship song when life gets tough. Say a simple “thank You” for His presence. Notice how your spirit feels refreshed and stronger as you focus on praise.

Now, It's Your Turn!

I challenge you to take a moment to pray, then read or listen to Psalm 138 today. Think about what stands out to you. Consider writing down a statement of faith. It may help to think of this as an I-statement. Maybe yours is similar to Gladys':

Wholehearted praise doesn’t wait for perfect circumstances. It invites us to bring everything—our joy, doubt, and pain—to the One who holds it all.

Then, jot down a question to think about today. Maybe yours is similar to Gladys':

How can I approach God with raw honesty today?

May this reflection lead our hearts to gratitude and praise today and may we stand in victory against the tactics and schemes of the enemy.

And praise God for refreshment as we are intentional to spend a summer in the Psalms together, for if we want His truth to ever be on our lips, it must first be planted in our hearts.

Our strength grows as we rely on strength from above. Our joy grows as we see God transforming us from the inside out. Our peace grows as we spend time in God's presence, and we find rest when we intentionally seek the Lord first in our lives, for the Lord is ever our portion.

The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.

I love hearing from you, so go ahead. Leave a comment. Be brave. Maybe your comment will speak life into someone else!

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