Message for July 18, 2026 from Pastor Shirley

Psalm 18:1-3 “I love You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer; My God, my firm Strength, in Whom I will trust and take refuge, Shield and the Horn of my salvation, my Stronghold.  I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.

This is a powerful hymn of praise where David declares his deep love for God, portraying Him as his ultimate protector and strong fortress. May we be like David expressing praise to our God – “I love You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, and I will call upon You who is worthy to be praised.”

NKJV Kingdom Dynamics 18:3 Praise Spotlights God

Here is the most basic reason for our praise to God: He is “worthy to be praised [Hebrew halal, praise with a loud voice]”; the most primitive meaning of halal is “to cause to shine.” Thus, with our praise, we are throwing the spotlight on our God, who is worthy and deserves to be praised and glorified. The more we put the spotlight on Him. The more He causes us to shine. Modern medicine attests to the value of bringing a depressed person into a brightly lit room, acknowledging that light greatly helps to heal their depression. How much more will praise introduce the light of god and bring us into the joy of the Lord?

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth”. Psalms 34:1