Having the Right List

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1,2 NASB

David knew the secret of living a victorious life no matter the circumstances, fears, sorrows, troubles, problems, heartaches, failures, or difficulties…..and he had plenty of those! It came down to choices. Turn to just about any Psalm and you will find something David has made up his mind to do. Each proclamation begins with a confident and determined “I will!” One of the reasons for that is David knew that where the mind went the man would follow. He knew that his words and actions were birthed in his thoughts. It is there they start as seeds and later come to fruition.

What would an “I will” list look like if we were to write one this morning? What would it sound like if we dared to speak it out loud? How different our day would be if we were to start it by saying, “I will trust God. I will tell others about Him. I will acknowledge Him. I will obey Him. I will make His plans my priority today. I will praise Him with words, music, actions, and activities. I will talk to Him and about Him. I will rejoice in Him. I will believe Him. I will follow Him. I will focus on Him. I will think about Him. I will serve Him. I will depend upon Him. I will go to Him. I will receive from Him. I will confide in Him. I will stand in awe of Him.” Oh, my, the list is endless!

This must be an active process we walk through. For if we do not intentionally determine our course of action for today, our list may look very different. It might read more like, “I will gossip. I will complain. I will argue. I will hold a grudge. I will worry. I will struggle. I will fail. I will miss all that God has for me.”

All I have to do is read through both those lists and my spirit reacts differently to them. The first list is empowering while the second is draining. The first builds confidence while the second robs me of peace and joy. I know which one I would rather live my life out of. But it is not just a matter of positive thinking. It is when I take my determined will and combine it with God’s will, Spirit, and Word that the victory comes.

Father, You know what today holds. Help me to formulate a list full of strength and confidence. Walking in victory will start with the steps taken in my mind. Amen.