One of my Bible teachers noted that humanity’s attitude is this: “Lord, tell me once, maybe twice, and I'll take it from there.” It reminds me of a young child telling his or her parent, “I do it myself.” Positive thinking and our self-help culture tempt us to believe we can do it ourselves—we don’t need God. So while we’re repeating, “I think I can, I think I can,” we set God aside in disrepectful self-determination.
David demonstrates a positive attitude, yet not one based on smiley-faced bravado. A positive attitude results from respect for God. But positive thinking can enforce the idea that if we think the right thoughts or say the right words or visualize the right images, we will achieve our objective. We set goals, identify roadblocks, and work to eliminate these in order to get what we want. And, while we’re choo-chooing along, we pray, “Lord, bless my plans.”
David behaves quite differently. David’s attitude indicates that he puts God before himself. He acknowledges that his success depends on God’s guidance and intervention. When David keeps this focus, he avoids failure and experiences success. David not only proclaims God as his God but expresses his respect for God in his understanding of God as protector, deliverer, savior, and hope.
While positive thinking may carry us far, it is often insufficient and unreliable. Positive thinking that excludes God is not only disrespectful but idolatrous. Respect for God leads to contentment and security through trust in the Lord. Our day will look and feel different as we practice respect, which brings a bonus: the experience of God’s peace.