Ps 23:1 A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd." NIV
The Shepherd heart of God is idealized in Christian circles with great romanticism and imagery but to know God as our shepherd is powerful for its implications to our relationship with Him. Isaiah 40:11 talks about the Shepherd of Israel with such passion and intimacy that this verse alone awakens the reality of such tender feelings in God’s heart towards us that no one should live without this knowledge. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Our loving Father gathers us into his arms. Imagine the Lord lifting you up and holding you close like a little lamb. And look at where he has lifted you to; the Lord is carrying you close to his heart today. Whenever you feel weak or discouraged remember that the Lord is there to lift you up and hold you close to his heart. His thoughts are directed towards you not in some distant cold sort of relationship.
He knows you by name and is calling out to you to come after him as Jesus says in his parable of the shepherd in John 10:2-3
Even when we have wandered off into the wilderness of sin God in his shepherd’s heart is looking for us to bring us home. His way is not the way of anger and judgment. This path is only the last resort laid up for those who resist the kindness of his heart and show contempt for his gracious attempts to restore us. Ro. 2:4 speaks of God’s way in regard to those who have wandered into sin as Paul teaches that it is “God's kindness leads you toward repentance,” not a harsh angry vengeance. It is only after we have shown “contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience”, Ro. 2:4. That he then adopts a stronger form of correction, but even then with the hope of full restoration. The story of the prodigal son is such a picture of God’s immeasurable patience as the Father releases the son to his own foolishness knowing that his constant kindness and understanding way with his son has left an open door for a path of repentance and restoration. Had the Father been harsh and condescending the son may either have felt that he could not return or reacted to the criticism that met his return and run away again out of bitterness.
Jer 31:9 paints such a powerful picture of true repentance and the Father’s heart of restore the lost ones to his flock when it says, “They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble because I am Israel's father.” A Shepherd and a Father, that is who calls us to himself! Not only does he welcome us home when we have strayed, when he finds the true repentance reflected in Jer. 31:9 he then gladly leads us by the living waters of his intimate presence and provides for us level paths to walk on as a father chooses good ground for his children to learn to walk on. In those seasons when we find ourselves returning after our hearts have gone astray we can come to God with confidence and humility leaning on these words of Jesus to comfort us. Luke 12:32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”It is God’s pleasure to give you himself!
Saturday
Friday
Psalm 22:25-28 - March 6, 2009
Ps 22:25-28 "From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows. 26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him — may your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations." NIV
The opening phrase of this passage is an introduction into the listening heart. The principle presented in verse 25 is that God is speaking into the worshipping heart, imparting the themes that we are then inspired to lift up to the Lord in praise. There is a powerful implication to this point. The Lord desires to awaken praise of a specific nature from our lives. I am certain that he is pleased with a general or generic offering of praise, but it is apparent from this verse that God’s desire is to impart the themes that stir within us as we lift our heart and voice to him. I believe that the second purpose in the heart of the Father as he leads our hearts in one direction or another is that even as he awakens the theme of our praise that is pleasing to him, it seems that he is also communicating in these same themes his desire for these themes to capture our heart and mind so that our thoughts are increasingly focused on the greatness of God.
The second theme of this passage is focused on our public life. David has determined to live righteously in the midst of the people of God. His statement, “before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows,” communicates the decision that David has made to demonstrate to the people of God the power of a life of faithfulness. He has recognized the power of his example to encourage the people of God. It is apparent that he knows both that his faithfulness will encourage their faithfulness and also that their hearts will be encouraged by the knowledge that they have a leader over their lives who is truly seeking after the heart of God.
Additionally David communicates through this verse the impact that our testimony has on the lives of those in the world who are watching. It is very significant that David was known internationally for his extravagant life both as a warrior and as a worshipper. His renown had built for him a platform of visibility that God used to advance his (God’s) testimony in the earth. After conquering Goliath and fighting the Lord’s battles under Saul’s leadership, David is widely known for the quality of his life. It is within this context, as he speaks about his life of worship, that David declares that as truly God fearing people praise the Lord, the Lord himself will generate an audience to see the fruit of our sacrifice of praise and that many will be drawn to him through this. “The earth will remember and turn… the nations will bow.” As God’s people live in holy fear and this reverence is expressed through a life of praise, it is God who will direct the attention of those around us to see the quality of our lives and the power of our relationship to the Lord and turn to the living God in praise.
The opening phrase of this passage is an introduction into the listening heart. The principle presented in verse 25 is that God is speaking into the worshipping heart, imparting the themes that we are then inspired to lift up to the Lord in praise. There is a powerful implication to this point. The Lord desires to awaken praise of a specific nature from our lives. I am certain that he is pleased with a general or generic offering of praise, but it is apparent from this verse that God’s desire is to impart the themes that stir within us as we lift our heart and voice to him. I believe that the second purpose in the heart of the Father as he leads our hearts in one direction or another is that even as he awakens the theme of our praise that is pleasing to him, it seems that he is also communicating in these same themes his desire for these themes to capture our heart and mind so that our thoughts are increasingly focused on the greatness of God.
The second theme of this passage is focused on our public life. David has determined to live righteously in the midst of the people of God. His statement, “before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows,” communicates the decision that David has made to demonstrate to the people of God the power of a life of faithfulness. He has recognized the power of his example to encourage the people of God. It is apparent that he knows both that his faithfulness will encourage their faithfulness and also that their hearts will be encouraged by the knowledge that they have a leader over their lives who is truly seeking after the heart of God.
Additionally David communicates through this verse the impact that our testimony has on the lives of those in the world who are watching. It is very significant that David was known internationally for his extravagant life both as a warrior and as a worshipper. His renown had built for him a platform of visibility that God used to advance his (God’s) testimony in the earth. After conquering Goliath and fighting the Lord’s battles under Saul’s leadership, David is widely known for the quality of his life. It is within this context, as he speaks about his life of worship, that David declares that as truly God fearing people praise the Lord, the Lord himself will generate an audience to see the fruit of our sacrifice of praise and that many will be drawn to him through this. “The earth will remember and turn… the nations will bow.” As God’s people live in holy fear and this reverence is expressed through a life of praise, it is God who will direct the attention of those around us to see the quality of our lives and the power of our relationship to the Lord and turn to the living God in praise.
Thursday
Psalm 22:23-24 - March 05, 2009
Ps 22:23-24 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." NIV
Why should the Lord be feared? Why is he worthy of a reverent heart? Throughout history it has often been the nature of the great and the strong to despise the weak, to look down upon the poor and those in need. Too often the cries of the desperate are met with neglect and rejection. Yet the word of God displays the worth of the Lord through his kindness towards the afflicted and those who cry for help. He is the most powerful being in heaven or on earth and yet
he has chosen to lower himself and become accessible to the weakest of men.
Imagine the greatest president, emperor or dictator of the world reaching down from his high position to listen to the plea of a little old woman who desires justice. The awe inspiring reality of what God has done is that he has not only done this incredible act, he has done so with love and care, genuinely interested in the woman not simply moved by the pain of her condition. Yes, God is merciful, yes God is just, but he is so much more than that. God is love! This is why he deserves our honor and reverence. He could have simply passed us by. He could have only met our need and moved on to the next request. Instead, God hears our cry and then offers intimate relationship for those who will take the time for him.
In the hour of our need God is there. When we are feeling weak and discouraged God is there. The apostle Paul confidently wrote in Rom 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” an inseparable love and an unfailing love as Paul states in I Co. 13:8. These are the things that set God apart from all other beings. His character is completely trustworthy and when he sets a boundary for his children it is truly motivated by a loving understanding of what is best for us. Because of this we can choose a life of obedience and reverence because we are sure that there is no unclean motive in the heart of the one who has made the command. We can fear with a clean sense of knowing that God will never express anger, discipline or correction out of an impatience or selfish anger but only out of a righteous, just and loving motivation. When we understand this reality we can enter into a deeper trust in God and his leading in our lives. We can also confidently obey his commands knowing that we will benefit from all that the Lord directs us to do.
Why should the Lord be feared? Why is he worthy of a reverent heart? Throughout history it has often been the nature of the great and the strong to despise the weak, to look down upon the poor and those in need. Too often the cries of the desperate are met with neglect and rejection. Yet the word of God displays the worth of the Lord through his kindness towards the afflicted and those who cry for help. He is the most powerful being in heaven or on earth and yet
he has chosen to lower himself and become accessible to the weakest of men.
Imagine the greatest president, emperor or dictator of the world reaching down from his high position to listen to the plea of a little old woman who desires justice. The awe inspiring reality of what God has done is that he has not only done this incredible act, he has done so with love and care, genuinely interested in the woman not simply moved by the pain of her condition. Yes, God is merciful, yes God is just, but he is so much more than that. God is love! This is why he deserves our honor and reverence. He could have simply passed us by. He could have only met our need and moved on to the next request. Instead, God hears our cry and then offers intimate relationship for those who will take the time for him.
In the hour of our need God is there. When we are feeling weak and discouraged God is there. The apostle Paul confidently wrote in Rom 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” an inseparable love and an unfailing love as Paul states in I Co. 13:8. These are the things that set God apart from all other beings. His character is completely trustworthy and when he sets a boundary for his children it is truly motivated by a loving understanding of what is best for us. Because of this we can choose a life of obedience and reverence because we are sure that there is no unclean motive in the heart of the one who has made the command. We can fear with a clean sense of knowing that God will never express anger, discipline or correction out of an impatience or selfish anger but only out of a righteous, just and loving motivation. When we understand this reality we can enter into a deeper trust in God and his leading in our lives. We can also confidently obey his commands knowing that we will benefit from all that the Lord directs us to do.
Wednesday
Psalm 21:8-10 - March 4, 2009
Ps 21:8-10 "Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. 9 At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them. 10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind." NIV
The way that God presents himself to the earth through the pages of scripture is very clear in the message that he brings to those who will listen. He is thoroughly patient in his dealings with man in regard to sin and human weakness, so much so that many accuse God of being unjust or unconcerned with man’s suffering. Yet, even though he is longsuffering in his effort to bring man to repentance rather than to judgment, when he determines that it is time for his hand of discipline to fall he moves quickly. This passage gives us a very direct reminder that when the Lord’s hand is raised against those he chooses to oppose it is a fearful thing and a warning to all who stand by and observe his mighty acts.
David speaks as one who has witnessed the wrath of God. “You lay hold on all your enemies!” When God chooses to lay hold of someone or some group of people there is no escaping his grasp. Imagine being seized by the hand of God. This is the image of absolute restraint. David speaks of the wrath of God swallowing up and his fire consuming. When something has been swallowed or consumed by fire it is completely devoured and irreversible. When the government or the bank comes and seizes your property the use of force will not reverse the power of their grasp, only bringing the governing power to the place of changing its decision will avail in being released from this power. In the same way once God has determined to act he is swift and resolute and no power can restrain him but the power of repentance and prayer.
Oh, that man might fear the Lord. David’s psalm is a reminder that the good shepherd is also the righteous judge. In Proverbs 9:10 Solomon tells us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” The word of God calls to us through its pages inquiring as to who will choose wisdom over the pleasures of this life. Jonah 2:8 states that “those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” It is man who forfeits the gracious blessings of God through his pursuit of that which is deemed worthless in the context of eternity. God has laid up unspeakable blessings for those who will follow but man must choose. In the same way that Satan tempted Jesus his offer has not changed over all of these years. “You can have it all now, only worship me!” Yet God holds out his hand and offers life and peace through the path of obedient reverence to God. Choose wisely in every choice that you make today!
The way that God presents himself to the earth through the pages of scripture is very clear in the message that he brings to those who will listen. He is thoroughly patient in his dealings with man in regard to sin and human weakness, so much so that many accuse God of being unjust or unconcerned with man’s suffering. Yet, even though he is longsuffering in his effort to bring man to repentance rather than to judgment, when he determines that it is time for his hand of discipline to fall he moves quickly. This passage gives us a very direct reminder that when the Lord’s hand is raised against those he chooses to oppose it is a fearful thing and a warning to all who stand by and observe his mighty acts.
David speaks as one who has witnessed the wrath of God. “You lay hold on all your enemies!” When God chooses to lay hold of someone or some group of people there is no escaping his grasp. Imagine being seized by the hand of God. This is the image of absolute restraint. David speaks of the wrath of God swallowing up and his fire consuming. When something has been swallowed or consumed by fire it is completely devoured and irreversible. When the government or the bank comes and seizes your property the use of force will not reverse the power of their grasp, only bringing the governing power to the place of changing its decision will avail in being released from this power. In the same way once God has determined to act he is swift and resolute and no power can restrain him but the power of repentance and prayer.
Oh, that man might fear the Lord. David’s psalm is a reminder that the good shepherd is also the righteous judge. In Proverbs 9:10 Solomon tells us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” The word of God calls to us through its pages inquiring as to who will choose wisdom over the pleasures of this life. Jonah 2:8 states that “those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” It is man who forfeits the gracious blessings of God through his pursuit of that which is deemed worthless in the context of eternity. God has laid up unspeakable blessings for those who will follow but man must choose. In the same way that Satan tempted Jesus his offer has not changed over all of these years. “You can have it all now, only worship me!” Yet God holds out his hand and offers life and peace through the path of obedient reverence to God. Choose wisely in every choice that you make today!
Tuesday
Psalm 21:1-7 - March 3, 2009
Ps 21:1-7 "O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give! 2 You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah 3 You welcomed him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. 4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him — length of days, forever and ever. 5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. 6 Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken." NIV
This is the psalm of a truly dependent leader. Most leaders rejoice in their own strength, the strength of their political influence, the strength of their following, the strength of their army or some other attribute. The truly dependent leader finds their greatest confidence and strength in the Lord. The Apostle Paul was a tremendous example of this principle in his writings. He has a list of human qualities so full and distinguished that any man would seem to have cause towards pride yet Paul’s focus in 2 Cor 10:17 is "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” His nature was to give God the glory for the successes in his life. The psalmist identifies the dependent leader’s cause for joy; the victories that God has given. Godly leadership can look at even the greatest of victories and realize that every good thing that has been accomplished has been through the help of the Lord. Our joy is to celebrate the accomplishments of the Lord through us!
The truly secure leader is able to live in gratefulness! Here in this psalm David is able to look upon the accomplishments of his life, victories over Goliath and the Philistines, expanding the territories of his people, the establishing of new models of worship, a life of revelation, authoring multitudes of songs and so much more and turn all of the praise towards God. His perspective is that God has welcomed him with rich blessing and that his position of successful leadership was because God placed him there. So many who rise to what the world views as success are quick to point to what their own hands have done yet one of David’s greatest testimonies for the generations to come is his humble acknowledgment that his accomplishments are really the Lord’s accomplishments.
David lived the revelation that it is the Lord who lifts up one and brings down another. He declares the reality that his path has been marked by God giving him victory after victory. When he triumphs he recognizes that the praise of man that follows is because God has brought him glory. His view of the wealth and abundance that he is enjoying is that it came from the gracious hand of God. How different from the heart of Nebuchadnezzar who stood overlooking his kingdom and praising his own greatness. The outcome of his pride was that all of the blessings were taken away until he humbled himself and acknowledged the Lord. What David ultimately celebrates with the greatest sincerity is the gift of God’s intimate presence that has accompanied all of his success. He celebrates God victories and in the same breath he rejoices in his eternal reward and the conscious knowledge of God’s presence that he has been given. This heart is so much like the teaching that Jesus gave to his disciples when they returned from having cast out devils, healed the sick and spread the gospel message. His exhortation to them was Luke 10:20 “do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
A wise heart can recognize where its victories come from and the true source of the blessings that we enjoy.
7 For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken." NIV
This is the psalm of a truly dependent leader. Most leaders rejoice in their own strength, the strength of their political influence, the strength of their following, the strength of their army or some other attribute. The truly dependent leader finds their greatest confidence and strength in the Lord. The Apostle Paul was a tremendous example of this principle in his writings. He has a list of human qualities so full and distinguished that any man would seem to have cause towards pride yet Paul’s focus in 2 Cor 10:17 is "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” His nature was to give God the glory for the successes in his life. The psalmist identifies the dependent leader’s cause for joy; the victories that God has given. Godly leadership can look at even the greatest of victories and realize that every good thing that has been accomplished has been through the help of the Lord. Our joy is to celebrate the accomplishments of the Lord through us!
The truly secure leader is able to live in gratefulness! Here in this psalm David is able to look upon the accomplishments of his life, victories over Goliath and the Philistines, expanding the territories of his people, the establishing of new models of worship, a life of revelation, authoring multitudes of songs and so much more and turn all of the praise towards God. His perspective is that God has welcomed him with rich blessing and that his position of successful leadership was because God placed him there. So many who rise to what the world views as success are quick to point to what their own hands have done yet one of David’s greatest testimonies for the generations to come is his humble acknowledgment that his accomplishments are really the Lord’s accomplishments.
David lived the revelation that it is the Lord who lifts up one and brings down another. He declares the reality that his path has been marked by God giving him victory after victory. When he triumphs he recognizes that the praise of man that follows is because God has brought him glory. His view of the wealth and abundance that he is enjoying is that it came from the gracious hand of God. How different from the heart of Nebuchadnezzar who stood overlooking his kingdom and praising his own greatness. The outcome of his pride was that all of the blessings were taken away until he humbled himself and acknowledged the Lord. What David ultimately celebrates with the greatest sincerity is the gift of God’s intimate presence that has accompanied all of his success. He celebrates God victories and in the same breath he rejoices in his eternal reward and the conscious knowledge of God’s presence that he has been given. This heart is so much like the teaching that Jesus gave to his disciples when they returned from having cast out devils, healed the sick and spread the gospel message. His exhortation to them was Luke 10:20 “do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
A wise heart can recognize where its victories come from and the true source of the blessings that we enjoy.
Monday
Psalm 20:7-8 - March 2, 2009
Ps. 20:7-8 "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm." NIV
Where do you put your trust? This is a foundational question in life and particularly in uncertain times. The chariots and horses of this passage are an image of the strength of human effort and ingenuity.
A basic response of most people in trying times is to control, to take matters into our own hands and wrestle to work out all of our issues. This often comes at the expense of healthy relationships, true wisdom in our decisions, and a proper dependence upon the Lord. When the pressure is on we exercise power in unhealthy ways, we achieve our goals through anger and intimidation or many other such responses. The problem is too often that we are not fully appreciating the consequences of those actions. Even so today in our national economy human tendency is a powerful economic stimulus package that attempts to solve our national problems through human wisdom and ingenuity. How many families fall into the same trap and destroy their financial future?
In times of crisis what is truly needed is an examination of our ways. James speaks of a wisdom from above and a wisdom that is earthly, sensual and devilish. I cannot help but think that what is needed in times of testing is a turning to the Lord in humility and prayer. Trust in the Lord always brings a redemptive outcome if we are truly listening and waiting for his hand of intervention. The process of trusting God will in many cases involve direction from his Spirit that is hard to face because it requires genuine change but the fruit of godly wisdom is always more lasting. God will always call us back to a lifestyle that reflects a biblical values system as a part of his remedy for the crisis that has driven us to him. The general principle of true dependence upon the Lord is found in the book of Joel where the prophet calls the people of God to humility, prayer, real change towards Godly ways and a genuine seeking after God then God will respond with the wisdom and intervention that is needed.
The blessing of returning to dependence upon the Lord is illustrated in verse 7 of psalm 20 as David tells of the destiny of those who trust in human wisdom and strength for deliverance from trying times. “They will be brought to their knees and fall.” What a powerful contrast with the life of those who trust in the Lord. “We will rise up and stand firm.” Note the contrast. Those who trust in self and man begin standing and are brought to their knees. We who trust in the Lord begin on our knees and rise up to stand firm! The outcome of dependence upon the Lord is an inner strength that flows out of God’s wisdom and strength being poured out into our areas of need with answers that turn crisis into blessing. Study the lives of Joseph, Jacob, Esther and many of the other heroes of the bible for demonstrations of how God moves mountains to be glorified in the lives of those who trust in him.
Where do you put your trust? This is a foundational question in life and particularly in uncertain times. The chariots and horses of this passage are an image of the strength of human effort and ingenuity.
A basic response of most people in trying times is to control, to take matters into our own hands and wrestle to work out all of our issues. This often comes at the expense of healthy relationships, true wisdom in our decisions, and a proper dependence upon the Lord. When the pressure is on we exercise power in unhealthy ways, we achieve our goals through anger and intimidation or many other such responses. The problem is too often that we are not fully appreciating the consequences of those actions. Even so today in our national economy human tendency is a powerful economic stimulus package that attempts to solve our national problems through human wisdom and ingenuity. How many families fall into the same trap and destroy their financial future?
In times of crisis what is truly needed is an examination of our ways. James speaks of a wisdom from above and a wisdom that is earthly, sensual and devilish. I cannot help but think that what is needed in times of testing is a turning to the Lord in humility and prayer. Trust in the Lord always brings a redemptive outcome if we are truly listening and waiting for his hand of intervention. The process of trusting God will in many cases involve direction from his Spirit that is hard to face because it requires genuine change but the fruit of godly wisdom is always more lasting. God will always call us back to a lifestyle that reflects a biblical values system as a part of his remedy for the crisis that has driven us to him. The general principle of true dependence upon the Lord is found in the book of Joel where the prophet calls the people of God to humility, prayer, real change towards Godly ways and a genuine seeking after God then God will respond with the wisdom and intervention that is needed.
The blessing of returning to dependence upon the Lord is illustrated in verse 7 of psalm 20 as David tells of the destiny of those who trust in human wisdom and strength for deliverance from trying times. “They will be brought to their knees and fall.” What a powerful contrast with the life of those who trust in the Lord. “We will rise up and stand firm.” Note the contrast. Those who trust in self and man begin standing and are brought to their knees. We who trust in the Lord begin on our knees and rise up to stand firm! The outcome of dependence upon the Lord is an inner strength that flows out of God’s wisdom and strength being poured out into our areas of need with answers that turn crisis into blessing. Study the lives of Joseph, Jacob, Esther and many of the other heroes of the bible for demonstrations of how God moves mountains to be glorified in the lives of those who trust in him.
Sunday
Psalm 20:4-6 - March 1, 2009
Ps 20:4-6 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. 6Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand." NIV
This psalm is in its foundation an intercessory psalm for good government and the wellbeing of the national leaders. Yet it is also a powerful model of intercession for any person that is leading others in the purposes of God, be it family, ministry, business, education or government. Leadership is by its very nature surrounded with conflict and resistance on both the human and spiritual levels and this powerful intercession is both simple and compacted with powerful principles of. The perspective of this initial passage may be interpreted in two directions. May the Lord grant the success of your desires or may the Lord be the origin of those desires. Though this second principle may not be the primary force behind this prayer its value as a prayer that is prayed over those who lead us is undeniable. We cannot but help to benefit if the desires of those who lead us are governed by the Lord! The scriptures declare that “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases,” Prov 21:1. It is vital that those who pray not despair in those seasons when men who do not serve God govern over us. Because we have this promise from Pr. 21:1 we know that we can appeal to a higher power for the Lord’s desires to be accomplished through those he has placed over us.
In the same way we can pray for the principles of this psalm over our own lives and the lives of those we love. Imagine the satisfaction that will accompany our lives as we consistently see this psalm fulfilled in our Christian experience. “Lord let my desires come from you, and then let them be fulfilled in my experience.” The things that I am doing now as a mature adult are not the result of my own decision to chart the course of my life. The things that the Lord has allowed me to accomplish and even the desires that are now the fuel for my future sense of mission in life are the outflow of a life surrendered to God. One of the benefits of this psalm is its sense of consecration to the Lord. The success of the plans emerges directly from the surrender of the desires to be shaped by the Lord. I can know that because the goals that I am in pursuit of are the result of God’s influence upon my heart that he is for me and working for the fulfillment of those goals.
True success is the fulfillment of the will of God. Success is not found in choosing my own destiny and then striving to reach that destination. True success is the purpose of God being fulfilled in my life and because of this it is not the greatness of the purpose in human terms that determines its value and worth. It is the measure to which I have fulfilled the purpose God has ordained for me that determines success. Because of this I can live content in a sense of success whether I am working my career and raising my family or traveling the world and raising the dead! True success is obedience to Christ!
The power of this truth is that for those who have learned its secret we can live in joy not only in our own success but when we see others succeed in their calling and purpose. We are no longer hindered by feelings of insecurity or the temptation to comparison and jealousy when someone else is blessed or successful. Instead we are able to celebrate the victory that the Lord has given. In doing so we establish the context for true Christian community that rejoices when God’s will is done and by this we establish a testimony for the Lord in the earth.
The very nature of intercession is captured in this principle and in the cry of this psalm; a life that is focused not on our own glory but on the glory of the Lord. “May all your plans succeed… May the Lord grant all of your requests!” What a selfless heart is reflected in the nature of these prayers. One of the foundations of a life lived for God, is a life lived for others as well. When we give ourselves in intercession for the blessing and success of others we are embracing the primary role of Christ today in his eternal ministry.
Heb 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Choose the heart of an intercessor today and join the work of God by praying that those around you and those in leadership in both the church and the world may fully accomplish the will of God as it relates to them.
This psalm is in its foundation an intercessory psalm for good government and the wellbeing of the national leaders. Yet it is also a powerful model of intercession for any person that is leading others in the purposes of God, be it family, ministry, business, education or government. Leadership is by its very nature surrounded with conflict and resistance on both the human and spiritual levels and this powerful intercession is both simple and compacted with powerful principles of. The perspective of this initial passage may be interpreted in two directions. May the Lord grant the success of your desires or may the Lord be the origin of those desires. Though this second principle may not be the primary force behind this prayer its value as a prayer that is prayed over those who lead us is undeniable. We cannot but help to benefit if the desires of those who lead us are governed by the Lord! The scriptures declare that “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases,” Prov 21:1. It is vital that those who pray not despair in those seasons when men who do not serve God govern over us. Because we have this promise from Pr. 21:1 we know that we can appeal to a higher power for the Lord’s desires to be accomplished through those he has placed over us.
In the same way we can pray for the principles of this psalm over our own lives and the lives of those we love. Imagine the satisfaction that will accompany our lives as we consistently see this psalm fulfilled in our Christian experience. “Lord let my desires come from you, and then let them be fulfilled in my experience.” The things that I am doing now as a mature adult are not the result of my own decision to chart the course of my life. The things that the Lord has allowed me to accomplish and even the desires that are now the fuel for my future sense of mission in life are the outflow of a life surrendered to God. One of the benefits of this psalm is its sense of consecration to the Lord. The success of the plans emerges directly from the surrender of the desires to be shaped by the Lord. I can know that because the goals that I am in pursuit of are the result of God’s influence upon my heart that he is for me and working for the fulfillment of those goals.
True success is the fulfillment of the will of God. Success is not found in choosing my own destiny and then striving to reach that destination. True success is the purpose of God being fulfilled in my life and because of this it is not the greatness of the purpose in human terms that determines its value and worth. It is the measure to which I have fulfilled the purpose God has ordained for me that determines success. Because of this I can live content in a sense of success whether I am working my career and raising my family or traveling the world and raising the dead! True success is obedience to Christ!
The power of this truth is that for those who have learned its secret we can live in joy not only in our own success but when we see others succeed in their calling and purpose. We are no longer hindered by feelings of insecurity or the temptation to comparison and jealousy when someone else is blessed or successful. Instead we are able to celebrate the victory that the Lord has given. In doing so we establish the context for true Christian community that rejoices when God’s will is done and by this we establish a testimony for the Lord in the earth.
The very nature of intercession is captured in this principle and in the cry of this psalm; a life that is focused not on our own glory but on the glory of the Lord. “May all your plans succeed… May the Lord grant all of your requests!” What a selfless heart is reflected in the nature of these prayers. One of the foundations of a life lived for God, is a life lived for others as well. When we give ourselves in intercession for the blessing and success of others we are embracing the primary role of Christ today in his eternal ministry.
Heb 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Choose the heart of an intercessor today and join the work of God by praying that those around you and those in leadership in both the church and the world may fully accomplish the will of God as it relates to them.
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