Psalm 9:1
I will give thanks and praise the Lord, with all my heart; I will tell aloud all Your wonders and marvelous deeds. I will rejoice and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name O Most High.

Praise of God is not just lip service or a duty. Genuine praise is intentional with all our hearts because we mean it. God is to be praised for all His works and holy name. When we praise, we remember all the joy, peace, love, safety, and kindness God has shown us. Praise thanks God for all that He has done.

Psalm 3:6-7
I will not be intimidated or afraid of the ten thousands who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.

When we keep close contact with God, it doesn’t matter what tries to come against us; we will not be moved. We are confident in the Lord and His Word and will not be moved by what we see or feel. God’s promises are alive in our hearts, and we know God is acting on our behalf.

Psalm 39:6-7
Surely every man walks around like a shadow (in a charade); surely they make an uproar for nothing; each one builds up riches, not even knowing who will receive them. And now, Lord, for what do I expectantly wait? My hope (my confident expectation) is in You.

We need a purpose, and the right purpose, found through salvation through Jesus, fills up our spirits and souls. How often have those seeking riches, glory, and fame felt empty after attaining their goal? Without Jesus and salvation, we are like shadows of our true selves, always searching for the answer and never finding it, hallowed and empty.

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He said, “Go, and tell this people: Keep on listening, but do not understand; keep on looking, but do not comprehend. Make the heart of this people insensitive, their ears dull, and their eyes dim, otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and return and be healed.

The Bible says to renew our minds every day to the Word, so we don’t forget. Time will defeat our hearts and minds if we don’t keep them fresh with the Word. As sin creeps into our hearts, we become dull and can no longer see, hear, and understand God. When we keep our hearts intentionally faithful to the Word of God, we will not be overcome.

Deuteronomy 28:45
So all these curses will come on you and pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God by keeping His commandments and His statutes which He has commanded you.

When we reject God and make ourselves into gods by following vain philosophies, we will open the door to destruction. If we don’t follow the commandments and statutes that God has given us in the Bible, we will allow the curse to be active in our lives. It comes down to keeping the faith focused on God and His Word and obeying the voice of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 28:43-44
The stranger who lives among you will rise above you higher and higher, and you will go down lower and lower. He will lend to you (out of his affluence), but you will not lend to him (because of your poverty); he will be the head and you will be the tail.

When we turn from God and His Word and ways, a curse follows the people and the land. When we turn to the Lord, repent, and pray, the Lord will turn and save the people from destruction. A stranger who doesn’t know the Lord or follow His ways will bring detriment to Godly people. We are to pray against evil overtaking our land.

Romans 10:10

For with the heart a person believes (in Christ as savior) resulting in his justification (that is, being made righteous-being freed of guilt of sin and made acceptable to God) and with the mouth confesses (his faith openly) resulting in and confirming his salvation. 

Our journey with Jesus begins with salvation and continues with us growing our faith. We have a part to play as the Spirit guides us and teaches us the ways of God. Our faith grows by our reading and confessing the scripture. Just as we must speak our salvation, we must speak our faith.   

Deuteronomy 29:29

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things which are revealed and disclosed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may do all of the words of this law. 

God sent scripture and Jesus to this earth to increase our knowledge so we would no longer be deceived. Jesus came to this earth to reveal salvation from death to bring us to eternal life. Jesus also came to give us an example of how we are to rule and reign here on earth. Knowledge from God is the key to flourishing in this life.  

Proverbs 18:15

The mind of the prudent (always) acquired knowledge, and the ear of the wise (always) seeks knowledge.

We can live this life without gaining wisdom and knowledge from God, but we will struggle. God and His word are the best guidance to keep us safe. Our five senses limit us; we can only comprehend what is before us. God created everything and can change space and time. What better resource do we need?

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge, (its starting point and its essence) But arrogant fools despise (skillful and godly) wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.  

The fear of the Lord is the first step to gaining wisdom. When we fear and respect the Lord, we will turn to Him for guidance and wisdom. We will not follow the crowd but follow the Word and do what is right in the eyes of God. Our job is to not be a fool and reject what is sent to save us from disaster.