Tag: Psalms

My Heart Is Steadfast (Psalm 57)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 57

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.

PSALM 57:7

MY HEART IS STEADFAST

This Psalm is tied to the one we looked at yesterday. David was facing some serious crisis moments in his life. He didn’t necessarily feel like singing praise to God. Perhaps he was even sliding into a depression (you know stress can trigger that sort of thing).

Sometimes it’s hard to feel the weight of worship when we are so burdened by our present circumstances. We know that we should rejoice in the Lord for all of his goodness, his greatness, and for his glory, but our hearts just don’t feel it. Our present circumstances seem to fight against it. Some times in those situations we can look to other places to blame. Maybe it’s the music? Or the preacher? Or the church we are in? We blame something externally for the thing we feel internally.

The reality is the God hasn’t changed, regardless of how we feel, or the circumstances we face, He is worthy of worship! David recognizes this in his own heart and so chooses his attitude in worship (Did you know that you could do that?) It’s not being fake to let your will lead your emotions. It’s shallow to let your emotions lead your will! David doubles down on trusting God in the middle of his fear. He confesses that he is steadfast twice! He sings in the middle of his depression because God is worthy! In the next verse he even goes as far as to say he is waking up his soul to sing to God. Sometimes when we feel the most Blah, is the time that we need to sing to the Lord the most!

Who need this encouragement today? I’m publishing this on a Sunday morning. Are you going to church today? I hope you have an opportunity to go to church somewhere and worship the Lord, He is worthy of praise! Go even if you don’t feel like it. You may find in the midst of your blah feeling that being with God’s people is the exact place you need to be. Go with the attitude and intention of worship. Let your heart be steadfast today!

PRAYER

Father, YOU are worthy of all Glory, Honor and Praise! You are worthy of all our worship. Sometimes my body feels tired and I don’t feel like singing your praise. Sometimes I am stressed and I find it hard to focus. Sometimes my soul is tired. Today Lord, let me be steadfast. I offer you praise because you are worthy, not just because I enjoy the company of my neighbors. I am leading my feelings with my will. I’m not allowing my feelings to run the show. So dear Lord please meet me as I gather to worship today! Please awaken my soul to your glory and your goodness! You are worthy of all my praise! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Whenever I Am Afraid, I Will Trust In You (Psalm 56)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 56

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

PSALM 56:3

WHENEVER I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN YOU

David was on the run for his life from Saul. He ended up in the town where Goliath (the giant he killed) was from. It was a horrible situation. He certainly had cause for anxiety and fear. He is running for his life from the king of Israel and he ended up in the hometown of a hero to the Philistines, whom he happened to have killed. His life is in danger from all sides.

How do you begin to sing praise to God when you are afraid for your life? How do you deal with the mounting pressure that seems like it will never let up? How do you handle the stress of having so many enemies? Somehow David finds a place to pen this prayer and song to the Lord.

Verse three summarizes everything beautifully, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you.” David knows where to go when his life is filled with stress and anxiety. He goes to God confidently knowing that God is for him (see verse 9) and so his cause won’t fail. He is seeking God with his whole heart. We fight anxiety by faith in God. He knows that bringing his anxiety to God will help him face his fears.

And it worked. There would be other days of fear and anxiety in David’s life, but he knew where to take it all. He prayed and he trusted the Lord. God’s promises held firm. God’s word held true for David and it holds true for us today when we trust him.

What we read in God’s word is multiplied when we share it with others. Who needs this short verse of encouragement in their life today? Who can you encourage?

PRAYER

Father, I am grateful that you are “for me.” You have called me, chosen me, set me apart, that through Christ I might become on of your children. As Paul says in Romans, If you are for me, who could be against me? So today I am placing all of my fears and anxieties in your hands. When I feel afraid, I will trust in you. Let this be the one things my mind and soul cling to more than any other. Thank you for your overwhelming grace and kindness to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Cast Your Burden On The LORD (Psalm 55)

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PSALM 55

1 To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication. 2 Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily, 3 Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me. 4 My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me. … 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

PSALM 55:1-5, 22

CAST YOUR BURDEN ON THE LORD

I was at the beach the other day loaded down with all of our beach gear. I somehow had managed to try and carry/ pull an ice chest, along with some beach chairs, a bag of toys, towels, etc… I was barely making progress to the spot my wife picked out. I didn’t start out with the intention to get loaded down. I started out with the intention of having a fantastic day at the beach. As I loaded up I didn’t ask for help, I just started carrying everything (Which was so much easier when everyone was little). Finally my family must have noticed my struggle and before I knew it, everything was off of me and on to them and the journey became much more bearable.

Sometimes we go through life like that. Along the way we pick up burdens or problems and we think we have to carry it all. It’s at this point that David reminds us to cast all our cares on the LORD! We are given the freedom to give our problems over to God. Indeed, if we don’t take them to God, where are we taking them? We don’t have to carry our troubles on our own, we can cast our burdens on the LORD. We can trust Him to take care of our issues and challenges. He is more than able to handle it.

I know I feel a lot better about an issue after I’ve prayed over it and placed it in the Lord’s hands. I am grateful that he encourages us to carry our problems to him. We come to him not as perfect people who can carry everything, but as those changed and changing by grace who trust him to carry all of our burdens and challenges.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you that we can cast all our cares on you. I am grateful that you hear me when I pray for those who I am worried about. I know I bring many requests each day for health and healing of loved ones, for those who don’t know you, and your grace to develop leaders. Thank you that you see and know the burden I carry and you have bidden me to cast my cares on you. I trust in you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Uphold My Life (Psalm 54)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 54

1 To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David when the Ziphites went and said to Saul, “Is David not hiding with us?” Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your strength. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah 4 Behold, God [is] my helper; The Lord [is] with those who uphold my life. 5 He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth. 6 I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for [it is] good. 7 For He has delivered me out of all trouble; And my eye has seen [its desire] upon my enemies.

PSALM 54:1-7

UPHOLD MY LIFE

I once had a vehicle break down at the beach and waited an hour to get a tow truck and spent an hour talking to the driver. The next week, miles away in another town, I had a malfunction on another vehicle. The same tow truck driver came in a different tow truck for a different company and picked me up. I don’t believe in coincidences and sensing God was up to something so I asked the driver more pressing questions about what was going on in his life. Sure enough, God was already at work in a situation and this man needed a pastor to listen and encourage him in his faith journey. At the end of the conversation I shared that I thought God had put me in his path that day for a reason. He had admitted that he had almost forgotten that he had prayed a prayer of desperation a few weeks ago and God had put me in his path twice!!! I prayed over him and we both parted company very encouraged knowing that God had heard his prayers and placed a pastor in his path to encourage him and help him.

This Psalm is David’s prayer to God asking to be vindicated from that harm that someone has done him. He asks God to hear his prayer, then he remembers that God has helped him in a million ways all along the way (so surely he won’t abandon him to his enemy now), and so his heart erupts in gratitude for the goodness and grace of God. Even in his prayer for justice David finds reason to rejoice because of God’s holy character.

Sometimes we forget just how far the Lord has taken us. We need to stop and see just where he has been working in our lives. David noted that God had helped him all along the way. I am often amazed at how I see God orchestrating my steps along the way as well. I know that I’m in good hands when I am in God’s hands and that should provoke us to praise.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for the millions of things you are actively doing in and around me. With David I can confess that you have held me up. You have been at work in my life and the lives of those around me. Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering so many times before I could even think to say amen. Help me to walk into this day with gratitude and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

You Can Come Back To God (Psalm 51)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 51

1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin [is] always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done [this] evil in Your sight–That You may be found just when You speak, [And] blameless when You judge. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden [part] You will make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, [That] the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me [by Your] generous Spirit. 13 [Then] I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

PSALM 51:1-13

YOU CAN COME BACK TO GOD

David did a terrible thing. It was horrible. He abused his power as king to force Bathsheba into an adulterous relationship with him and then he had her husband killed. There is no way around this. David, the man after God’s own heart, had done some really terrible things. This wasn’t a mere wayward glance or an abrupt, tired, and ill timed remark. This was life altering sin that had sever consequences for Uriah (the man he had killed) and his family. David destroyed lives with his sin. It was no small matter.

But no matter how bad David’s sin was, there was still a way back to God. I think sometimes we take this for granted that God forgives. We fail to take into account how profound that really is. Apart from the grace of God, we can’t forgive one another when we are sinned against in such violent ways. Apart from God’s grace, how do you forgive a cheating spouse? How do you forgive a person who you believed in, were supposed to be able to trust, and they commit violent acts to destroy you and your family? How does God forgive such heinous sinners? And if we just so happen to be that sinner, how do we even imagine being able to ask God for the forgiveness and grace we so desperately need?

Enter Psalm 51, David shares his prayer. He mourns his sin. It’s not something he can just wash off on his own. The dirt on his soul is so putrid, so foul, and so deep in his heart that there is no way to cleanse it with soap and a rag. No matter how hot the water and no matter how much he scrubs, his deeds are out there forever to make ripples in the lives of those he has betrayed.

David is a man’s man, he is independent. He is the guy who trusted the Lord to kill the giant. He is the one who has lead his nation into battle time and time again. He has fought on the front lines. You won’t find many things that David can’t do…. but David readily admits that he can’t wash his soul of these horrific sins… but God can.

This confession, this dependence, this poverty of spirit before almighty God is perhaps why David is a man after God’s own heart. He has no problem recognizing his sin and that God is the only one who can forgive him and that God will forgive when he boldly approaches seeking his forgiveness.

This is great news for both the sinner and the one’s wrestling with how to forgive sin. The good news for sinners is that you can come home to God through repentance. It’s not an easy grace, it’s costly. Jesus went to the cross so that you could come to God. A sacrifice had to be made on David’s behalf and fortunetly for David, God was willing to pay it. Like the prodigal son, he can come home.

And for those wrestling with how to forgive. We offer forgiveness not in our strength or our power, but through trusting God to render everyone their just due. Those who have betrayed us will answer for their sins, either through Christ who payed their sin debt or their souls forever in a place called Hell.

PRAYER

Father, I am overwhelmed by your mercy. I know people who have hurt others like David. If I’m really honest before you, I know sin plagues my soul to the same depth that it touched David’s. I may not have acted in out in the ways that he did, but my heart has been deceptive and wicked. I need you to forgive and cleanse me from unrighteous deeds, thoughts, and desires. I want only what is pure, lovely, and holy to remain. I am grateful we can come to you for forgiveness of our sins and restoration of our relationship, no matter how far we have run from you. I am grateful that we can trust you to deal with the sins of others. Thank you father for your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

A Royal Wedding (Psalm 45)

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PSALM 45

10 Listen, O daughter, Consider and incline your ear; Forget your own people also, and your father’s house; 11 So the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He [is] your Lord, worship Him. … 16 Instead of Your fathers shall be Your sons, Whom You shall make princes in all the earth. 17 I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever.

PSALM 45:10-11, 16-17

A ROYAL WEDDING

When I do pre-marriage counseling one of the key sessions we discuss is the matter of “leaving and cleaving” (Genesis 2:24). Or another way to put is is we speak to the matter of in-laws. When the father walks the bride down the isle and puts her hand in her very-soon-to-be husband’s hand it is no small gesture. In a very real sense, the bride and groom are leaving their families and beginning one of her own together. Family loyalties change on that day. Husband is to prefer his wife over his family and the wife is to prefer her husband over her family. That is how it is supposed to work. Too many relationships fall apart because of a failure of one party or both to “leave and cleave” (Genesis 2:24).

Here we see a royal wedding Psalm. This speaks of more than just an earthly king and queen getting married. (Especially since verse 6 calls the king, God). This represents the Lord and His Bride, the church (see Ephesians 5 and the end of the book of Revelation).

In a very real sense when we commit to Christ we become His and He becomes ours. We have a promise that we will leave and go with him to a place that he has prepared for us (See John 14). We will dwell with him there forever! What a joyous and exciting celebration that will be!

The note of application that stuck for me today comes in the form of a question. Am I leaving and cleaving to Christ or do I allow old world allegiances too much agency in my life?

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your amazing love! I am grateful for your amazing covenantal love. Thank you for the pictures and metaphors all through out your word that point to how you care for us as a shepherd cares for sheep, as a good groom cares for his bride. Thank you that you never quit on us that you never give us. Thankyou for your kindness and gentleness. We love you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Redeem Us For Your Mercies’ Sake (Psalm 44)

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PSALM 44

1 To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, The deeds You did in their days, In days of old: 2 You drove out the nations with Your hand, But them You planted; You afflicted the peoples, and cast them out. 3 For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them. 4 You are my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob. … 8 In God we boast all day long, And praise Your name forever. Selah 9 But You have cast [us] off and put us to shame, And You do not go out with our armies. … 22 Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 23 Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arise! Do not cast [us] off forever. 24 Why do You hide Your face, [And] forget our affliction and our oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; Our body clings to the ground. 26 Arise for our help, And redeem us for Your mercies’ sake.

PSALM 44:1-4, 8-9, 22-26

REDEEM US FOR YOUR MERCIES’ SAKE

Have you ever been unfriended on Facebook or unfollowed on another social media platform? Someone you thought was a friend sends a quiet but unmistakable signal that they’d rather not hear from you. The first thing you do is try and figure out how you have offended them? What did I do? What did I say? Is it me? 

The Psalmist in this Psalm laments that it feels like God isn’t present anymore. They’ve lost a battle. God should have gone out with them. He didn’t. They search for sin. Why aren’t we friends anymore? They feel like they’re an animal that has been taken out to where the jackals and other scavengers are and the leg is broken… It’s not a good situation to be in.

For me, the interesting part is verse 22. “For YOUR Sake.” Does this mean that there is purpose in the suffering that these people are facing? Purpose Like Job?… Like Joseph?… Like Jesus? This passage probably sounds familiar because I quoted from Romans 8 yesterday on the blog post, but here it is again. Paul writes from his situation in Romans 8:36-39: As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” (37) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (38) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, (39) nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“

Then see how it ends, “And redeem us for your mercies’ sake.”

  • And He would Redeem them (And Us)
    • It was for their sake that:
      • God the father would Step back from his Son (Matthew 27:46)
      • He would be Sacked and even his clothes would be gambled for by enemy soldiers (Luke 23:34)
      • He was led like a lamb to the Slaughter (Isaiah 53:7, Acts 8:32). 
      • His disciples were Scattered (Matthew 26:31)
      • He was Sold for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16)
      • He was Scorned by Soldiers (Luke 23:35-39)
      • He was Shamed when he who knew no sin became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. (This last bit comes from a message that was I heard and took notes for, I did not write the name of the pastor and so am not able to give full credit to the author, only to confess it is not original with me).

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your incredible mercy and grace! Thank you that you love us in spite of ourselves. Your grace and mercy know no bounds. We are grateful for your kindness to us that even in our suffering there is purpose. We rejoice in you today. Help us to trust you in all things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

We Don’t Fight For Victory, We Fight From Victory (Psalm 43)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 43

1 Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! 2 For You [are] the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

PSALM 43:1-5

WE DON’T FIGHT FOR VICTORY, WE FIGHT FROM VICTORY

Every day there is a spiritual battle going on around us. It will continue to happen until the Lord returns in all of his glory. So how do you enter into that battle each day? What mindset do you have? I heard an interview with Robert T. Kiyosaki on a podcast (The Way I Heard it With Mike Rowe, Episode 254), the other day and someone mentioned the Samurai mindset. The Samurai enters battle with a mindset that he has already died and so he can fight as if he has nothing to lose.

In this Psalm we see a different battle mindset, this is the mindset that the battle really belongs to the Lord. Why would I get afraid if I know who has already won the battle? Why would I get anxious about what will happen next, if I know what ultimately happens? For those who trust the Lord there is great hope and deliverance!

As the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:31-39 NKJV, “31 What then shall we say to these things? If God [is] for us, who [can be] against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? [It is] God who justifies. 34 Who [is] he who condemns? [It is] Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [Shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When the Christian enters the battle, “they don’t fight for victory, they fight from victory.” I heard someone share that phrase that I used as a title this past week at children’s camp. As soon as I heard it, I understood it and I was encouraged. I hope you are encouraged today as well.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you that you have already won the victory! Thank you that when it comes to sin and temptation in my life I can look to you who have defeated the enemy. I can trust in your grace and I can fight from the attitude of victory. I pray that my strength and confidence hold fast in you. You are our victory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Can The Sons of A Heretic Still Worship The Lord? (Psalm 42)

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PSALM 42

1 To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where [is] your God?” 4 When I remember these [things], I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And [why] are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him [For] the help of His countenance. 6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar. 7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. 8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song [shall be] with me–A prayer to the God of my life. 9 I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” 10 [As] with a breaking of my bones, My enemies reproach me, While they say to me all day long, “Where [is] your God?” 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

PSALM 42:1-11

CAN THE SONS OF A HERETIC STILL WORSHIP THE LORD?

The answer is yes. You can read the story of Korah and his rebellion in Numbers chapter 16. While Korah along with many others who had stepped out of line were swallowed up by the earth, his sons were spared (See Numbers 26:9-11). The line of Korah still existed and his descendent served in and around the tabernacle. By the time that David came to reign, they were known for their musical ability in worship and many of the Psalms are attributed to them. What great grace this is to see that the sins of the father are not the destiny of the children.

I love how this psalm begins. Talking about a panting deer longing for water. These folks knew what it was like to be thirsty. They could see in nature a picture of a panting deer longing for a cool and refreshing drink and think about how they longed for, craved, needed to worship the Lord.

I can’t help but think of the moment that Jesus stood up and said that if anyone was thirsty they should come to Him for a drink (John 7:37). There is no reason to go thirsty in this sense today! God has given us His Holy Spirit! My Big takeaway today is to make sure that I am satisfied in Christ and not trying to fill my heart from broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13).

PRAYER

Father, I am grateful that you meet our deepest needs. I long for you in my soul like a deer pants for water. I want to be satisfied and filled in you, Lord. Please keep me from pursuing the things in my life that do not satisfy. Keep me from chasing the things that won’t fulfill me. Let me trust in you and you alone to provide all that I need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Betrayed By A Friend But Blessed By The Lord (Psalm 41)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 41

[Psa 41:4-10 NKJV] 4 I said, “LORD, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.” 5 My enemies speak evil of me: “When will he die, and his name perish?” 6 And if he comes to see [me], he speaks lies; His heart gathers iniquity to itself; [When] he goes out, he tells [it]. 7 All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt. 8 “An evil disease,” [they say], “clings to him. And [now] that he lies down, he will rise up no more.” 9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up [his] heel against me. 10 But You, O LORD, be merciful to me, and raise me up, That I may repay them.

PSALM 41:4-10

BETRAYED BY A FRIEND BUT BLESSED BY THE LORD

I chose to meditate on the middle of this Psalm this morning. I emboldened a few words to help us notice that this section of the Psalm begins and ends with a plea to the LORD for mercy. David knows that God’s mercy would heal his affliction because David’s SIN is the CAUSE of the affliction. His soul is sick for what He has done.

We note in verses five through eight that David apparently has developed some frenemies. Being in a position of power there are some who perhaps see this sickness as his demise and they are plotting how to used if for their political gain. They have labeled this sickness a “wicked” disease. They are the kind of folks who love misery. They visit David only when something bad happens. David is wise enough to know that their visit isn’t about their interest in his well being, but they are plotting his downfall. They are really just seeking to ruin his reputation.

In verse nine, David notes the betrayal of a friend. Someone he thought was a close ally has turned against him and talked behind his back. Too often in Christian circles there are those who seem to be more like Judas than Jesus. They sense a weakness or sin in someone and rather than caring for that individuals restoration they harm them with malicious gossip. We shouldn’t shoot our own wounded like that. We’re not sinning less than the ones we are condemning.

As a king, David was in a unique position to execute vengeance. His vengeance wouldn’t be personal, but corporate. He was in the position of being king and the sins of his frenemies were tantamount to treason. For the sake of the nation, he would have to address their grievous behavior. There are times where individuals need to face Justice. 

We should note one thing for sure. Our words matter. We are accountable for the words we speak. In the case of David’s frenemies, their words were treason as they attempted to undermine the throne. Too many times those who bare the name of Christ have let bitter hearts speak ugly words. We should note that we will give an account to the Lord for the things we have done and said.

PRAYER

Father, We all stand today in need of your mercy. We are all sinners. We are grateful that you meet us in our affliction. We are grateful that you see fit to meet us in our neediest moments. We pray that you would guard our hearts from bitterness. Keep our lips from uttering lies or falsehoods. Let us not delight in the downfall of others. Keep us from that sort of pride. We seek for your kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.