My latest book, Fireside Psalms, is complete and is in the editing room. Publication date is the week before Thanksgiving. To God be the glory for this devotional book's completion. It will be a Thanksgiving-to-Christmas devotional that you read each night of the holiday season up to Christmas Day.
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PSALM 42:5
5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And {why} have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him {For} the help of His presence.
The word in verse 5 for praise is the word towdah (pronounced to-daw). This word for praise means to give worship in the form of a thank-offering. This word is commonly found in connection with anticipation of the blessing from the Almighty that goes beyond the material world. The Intervarsity Acacia University Bible study says:
“Towdah literally means, ‘an extension of the hand in adoration, avowal, or acceptance.’ By way of application, it is apparent in the Psalms and elsewhere that it is used for thanking God for ‘things not yet received’ as well as things already at hand.”
One of the powerful ways we can show our sincerity and even dependence upon God while praising, then, is to thank Him for blessings yet to come.
This isn't that unusual...you've exercised this in your earthly life. You've looked under the Christmas tree and found the gift that is yours. The tag tells the name of the giver, and you go and thank them...and you haven't even opened the gift yet, but knowing the character of the giver, you know it will be good. That's the towdah teaching... you know God will give you good gifts. Have you thanked Him for blessings you haven't received yet? Our God enjoys praise that does more than thank Him things seen, for He delights in praise that is joyful with things not seen.
