Daily Devotional

Psalm 9:1-2

We cannot always dictate what will happen to us.  There are some things under our control. But there are many things outside of that control.  We are beings subject to the world in many ways beyond what we wished was true.

But while we cannot always choose some perfect circumstances for our lives and our world, we always get to choose how we are going to react, or respond to circumstances which come our way!  Your circumstances today may be wonderful.  How do you respond to that?  Your circumstances may be terrible.  What do you do with that?  Most often our circumstances are somewhere in between those extremes.  What response would be appropriate?

And more importantly, what will you do?

We get one way to look at these things from Psalm 9:1-2, written by David.  There are some things that he predetermined he would do…I will…

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. (NASB)


You more or less will do the things you have predetermined to do, whether you determined that without conscious understanding, or whether you were very focused and intentional about it.  We do what we plan to do!

For example, you likely have often said, “If she does that, I am going to be really mad!”  Or, “If my boss gives me a raise today, I am going to be so happy!  I will rejoice with all my friends!”  Some thoughts like this have been setup by us to cover every eventuality, even the unexpected parts!

David made some decisions in these verses recorded in Psalm 9.  He made four “I will” decisions.  Perhaps these would be both instructive and helpful for you!

  • 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!

Consider doing what David did.  He said “I will” four times.  He first spoke about the Lord.  Then He spoke three times to the Lord!

What will you do today?  It is up to you!
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation