According to the Rosen Institute, several signs indicate when a workplace has gone into survival mode: everything is urgent, appointments are constantly missed or rescheduled, stress is overwhelming, there is little to no joy, and everyone is reactionary. Even if just one of these signs is present, it might be an indication that you or members of your team are merely surviving. Perhaps you are at a point in your life when you can relate to these signs, whether in the workplace or at home. In today’s reading, David was in that place. He was fleeing from Saul and had one job: to survive. Nonetheless, he turned his attention away from his circumstances and toward the nature and person of God. He identified his obstacles: “I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts” (v. 4). Even when his enemies plotted against him (v. 6), God was his protection and his deliverance. David knew God was to be exalted, praised, and lifted up among the nations regardless of his circumstances. When God delivered him, David did not shy away from praising the Lord with both his heart and his words. A chorus repeats in verses 5 and 11: “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.” He was a musician, after all, and could not help but sing about what the Lord had done. Perhaps the Lord has brought you through some difficult times as well. When all you could think about was survival, God was thinking about your growth. One way we can measure our spiritual growth is to see how often we praise the Lord with our words and our lives. His praise should be continually on our lips.