Ps 91:1-2 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." NIV
Are you at rest in God today!? Psalm 91:1-2 is rich with the promise of inner rest. The writer of this psalm invites us to ponder the man who dwells in the shelter of God Most High. To dwell with God is to enter a place of rest. To find shelter in Him is to know the shadow of His presence. There is a place of rest where the soul finds true peace and where our heart’s cry is satisfied by the experience of God’s presence. Psalm 91:1-2 calls us to center our lives in the midst of God’s presence, living with a constancy before Him in much the same way that Jesus called us in the book of John abide in Him and to let His word abide in us.
When we have first learned to abide our hearts are lifted up into a place of confident trust in God. To encounter God in His intimate presence is to establish the heart in a place of security. For many people daily life is filled with anxieties and cares that tear at the very fabric of our souls. For many people the thought of living with a heart that feels consistent peace and safety is a very foreign concept, no more familiar than the food to be eaten in a different country where we have never traveled. Psalm 91:1-2 contrasts this condition with an offer of refuge. Every passage of scripture, every description of the life that is available to those who will follow after the living God must be considered an invitation to more! If a principle or promise is present in the scriptures then it is available to us and we must seek to pursue the experience of it in our lives.
Psalm 91:1-2 is a powerful confession of faith that invites the heart to find its hiding place in God. The apostle Paul speaks of such a place as he confesses, “My life is hidden with Christ, in God!” When our hearts know this place of abiding, this place of refuge, when we have tasted of the peace that comes from the presence of God our confession is changed. To experience God is to receive a precious gift; the gift called hope. If we have tasted of God’s presence even one time, the heart is awakened to the possibility of renewed encounter. Psalm 34:8 invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” The psalmist can confidently make this offer because he knows that one taste will awaken a longing for more. From that moment on the focus of our lives begins to change. The goals that we are reaching for are forever shaped by the knowledge of the experience of God’s presence. When a heart has been awakened by this reality the cares of this life begin to diminish in our hearts and eternal longings are awakened and when a life is spent in pursuit of the eternal the worries and cares of this life lose their power over us. When we have learned to abide in God our hearts find the surest form of rest!
Friday
Psalm 90:17 - September 11, 2009
Ps 90:17 "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands." NIV
Sometimes little prayers have a big impact and this passage is one of those times! This verse revolves around two simple principles of intercession and prayer. The psalmist understands the need for the favor of God to rest on a person’s life! The ministries of Samuel in II Sa. 2:26 and both Jesus and John the Baptist in the gospels were marked by the favor of God and in each case their lives displayed both the revelation of God and the impact of His attention and favor upon the power of their public ministries. Each ministry was marked by a clear word of revelation from heaven and each ministry carried a deep place of impact upon the hearts of men as they spoke an authoritative word that flowed out of a place of hearing and intimacy not theoretical principles.
Throughout the pages of scripture a few of the distinctions of the favor of God being upon a life would include: the Lord teaching us His ways, the Lord’s presence accompanying His servants, the favor of people coming by the hand of God, and the voice of the Lord speaking into the life of the Lord’s servants. Psalm 5:12 even describes the favor of the Lord as being as though the Lord has surrounded us with a shield. Many passages throughout the Old Testament record the people of God crying out to Him for His favor to be upon them. It seems that in today’s church there is a need for a fresh understanding of the benefit of asking the Lord for His favor to rest upon us.
The second prayer point found in verse 17 of psalm 90 is concerning the works of our hands. The psalmist understands that it is God who makes us successful. Have you ever labored at something intensely only to see it bear little or no fruit, or even to have it cost you in the end rather than to bring blessing. It is the Lord who establishes and causes to flourish. Sometimes we as His people take for granted the assumption that we will be blessed and forget our responsibility to labor with God through asking for His power and wisdom to establish our works. Every venture that we undertake for the Lord should be bathed in prayer not clothed in presumption! It is God’s desire to bless and to increase us through our God directed labors but His word also clearly says that we have not because we ask not and when we do ask we are asking with selfish motives. God invites us to partner with Him through a life of prayer and obedience to His commands and two of the simplest and yet most profoundly impacting prayers that we can pray are for God’s favor to be upon us and for Him to establish our works! Do it today!
Sometimes little prayers have a big impact and this passage is one of those times! This verse revolves around two simple principles of intercession and prayer. The psalmist understands the need for the favor of God to rest on a person’s life! The ministries of Samuel in II Sa. 2:26 and both Jesus and John the Baptist in the gospels were marked by the favor of God and in each case their lives displayed both the revelation of God and the impact of His attention and favor upon the power of their public ministries. Each ministry was marked by a clear word of revelation from heaven and each ministry carried a deep place of impact upon the hearts of men as they spoke an authoritative word that flowed out of a place of hearing and intimacy not theoretical principles.
Throughout the pages of scripture a few of the distinctions of the favor of God being upon a life would include: the Lord teaching us His ways, the Lord’s presence accompanying His servants, the favor of people coming by the hand of God, and the voice of the Lord speaking into the life of the Lord’s servants. Psalm 5:12 even describes the favor of the Lord as being as though the Lord has surrounded us with a shield. Many passages throughout the Old Testament record the people of God crying out to Him for His favor to be upon them. It seems that in today’s church there is a need for a fresh understanding of the benefit of asking the Lord for His favor to rest upon us.
The second prayer point found in verse 17 of psalm 90 is concerning the works of our hands. The psalmist understands that it is God who makes us successful. Have you ever labored at something intensely only to see it bear little or no fruit, or even to have it cost you in the end rather than to bring blessing. It is the Lord who establishes and causes to flourish. Sometimes we as His people take for granted the assumption that we will be blessed and forget our responsibility to labor with God through asking for His power and wisdom to establish our works. Every venture that we undertake for the Lord should be bathed in prayer not clothed in presumption! It is God’s desire to bless and to increase us through our God directed labors but His word also clearly says that we have not because we ask not and when we do ask we are asking with selfish motives. God invites us to partner with Him through a life of prayer and obedience to His commands and two of the simplest and yet most profoundly impacting prayers that we can pray are for God’s favor to be upon us and for Him to establish our works! Do it today!
Thursday
Psalm 90: 11-12 - September 10, 2009
Ps 90:11-12 "Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. 12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." NIV
Man has a tendency to believe in his own invincibility. At times he raises his voice in praise of his own accomplishments and challenges the Lord with a voice of accusation and pride. He continues in his arrogance, believing that because there has been no quick response of judgment that either God is unable to challenge his pride or unwilling to involve himself in the affairs of men. Nebuchadnezzar was such a man. He stood beholding his own kingdom, exalting in his own accomplishments, having despised the warning of the Lord that had come previously, calling him to remember that it was the Lord and not his own power or ability that was the true source of his success and prosperity. His lack of humility and resistance to the Lord’s appeals to his conscience resulted in God’s blessing being lifted and judgment touching his life until he acknowledged that everything he had came from the Lord.
This is but one example of the way of the Lord and the power of His anger to bring correction into the lives of men. The anger of the Lord brought low the Egyptian pharaoh. The anger of the Lord lifted the blessing and the kingdom from the life of Saul. The anger of the Lord released dramatic judgments during the reign of David when he fell into sin, first by his actions towards Bathsheba and her husband and then by the sin of counting the number of Israel’s troops. Each of these examples that is found in scripture can be clearly seen and confirmed countless times throughout the pages of human history if we are willing to recognize God’s sovereignty over all things and acknowledge the clear teachings of scripture that define the nature of God’s judgments and the things that provoke him to wrath. Too often, man in his ignorance of the word of God, endures God’s discipline without even discerning that the hand of God that has been lifted against him. Too often man is willing to curse the Lord for not stopping the calamities that have come but never pauses to consider their cause. Hebrews chapter twelve teaches us that the Lord disciplines those that He loves. Like a father training his children, our God first calls us to repentance before lifting His hand to
chastise and punish.
Proverbs tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Because this is true it is God’s kindness that motivates Him to punish sin where He finds it, with the hope that a response of correction will train us to love good and fear doing evil. Psalm 90:11-12 is a passage that calls us to learn this wisdom. It calls us to remember a reverent fear of God and the consequences of disobeying his commands. This passage ends with a thoughtful and humble prayer for wisdom. “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Truly the psalmist has identified the great need of man. When we gain a right perspective on our own humanity in the light of your divinity we gain wisdom. When we learn the finite nature of this life and the invitation to live with you in the infinite realms of eternal glory we are sobered towards the things of this life and wisdom grows in our hearts. When we realize that true treasures can only be laid up in the heavenly realms through a living relationship with you, the path of life is laid open before us. Lord help us to see these things and live!
Man has a tendency to believe in his own invincibility. At times he raises his voice in praise of his own accomplishments and challenges the Lord with a voice of accusation and pride. He continues in his arrogance, believing that because there has been no quick response of judgment that either God is unable to challenge his pride or unwilling to involve himself in the affairs of men. Nebuchadnezzar was such a man. He stood beholding his own kingdom, exalting in his own accomplishments, having despised the warning of the Lord that had come previously, calling him to remember that it was the Lord and not his own power or ability that was the true source of his success and prosperity. His lack of humility and resistance to the Lord’s appeals to his conscience resulted in God’s blessing being lifted and judgment touching his life until he acknowledged that everything he had came from the Lord.
This is but one example of the way of the Lord and the power of His anger to bring correction into the lives of men. The anger of the Lord brought low the Egyptian pharaoh. The anger of the Lord lifted the blessing and the kingdom from the life of Saul. The anger of the Lord released dramatic judgments during the reign of David when he fell into sin, first by his actions towards Bathsheba and her husband and then by the sin of counting the number of Israel’s troops. Each of these examples that is found in scripture can be clearly seen and confirmed countless times throughout the pages of human history if we are willing to recognize God’s sovereignty over all things and acknowledge the clear teachings of scripture that define the nature of God’s judgments and the things that provoke him to wrath. Too often, man in his ignorance of the word of God, endures God’s discipline without even discerning that the hand of God that has been lifted against him. Too often man is willing to curse the Lord for not stopping the calamities that have come but never pauses to consider their cause. Hebrews chapter twelve teaches us that the Lord disciplines those that He loves. Like a father training his children, our God first calls us to repentance before lifting His hand to
chastise and punish.
Proverbs tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Because this is true it is God’s kindness that motivates Him to punish sin where He finds it, with the hope that a response of correction will train us to love good and fear doing evil. Psalm 90:11-12 is a passage that calls us to learn this wisdom. It calls us to remember a reverent fear of God and the consequences of disobeying his commands. This passage ends with a thoughtful and humble prayer for wisdom. “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Truly the psalmist has identified the great need of man. When we gain a right perspective on our own humanity in the light of your divinity we gain wisdom. When we learn the finite nature of this life and the invitation to live with you in the infinite realms of eternal glory we are sobered towards the things of this life and wisdom grows in our hearts. When we realize that true treasures can only be laid up in the heavenly realms through a living relationship with you, the path of life is laid open before us. Lord help us to see these things and live!
Tuesday
Psalm 89:5-11 - September 8, 2009
Ps 89:5-8 "The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. 6 For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? 7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. 8 O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you." NIV
Imagine this reality: God is more famous in heaven than He is on the earth! In the place where God dwells all of the creatures both high and low of the eternal realm behold the glory and power of God. They witness His mighty works, His faithfulness and His acts of kindness towards men and they praise Him! Gathered around God in the courts of heaven there is assembled not only a great company of worshippers from every tribe and nation, there is a beings of indescribable power and majesty who behold the works of the Lord with awe and wonder.
This statement “who in the skies above can compare with the Lord,” identifies the reality that God does not abide alone. “Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?” The book of Revelation describes a number of scenes from around the throne of God but it is certainly an incomplete description of all that is taking place there. Psalm 89 opens our eyes to a great throne room scene complete with a diversity of heavenly beings who serve God as He governs the earth. This passage clearly identifies this host of heavenly beings as diverse enough that a broad contrast between their many different forms and the much greater power and majesty that is found in the person of the Lord God Almighty!
Verse seven describes the reality that there is a heavenly council that gathers around the throne of God. Eternal beings, each one awesome in their majesty and yet we are told that the Mighty God is more awesome than them all. We are told that in contrast to His greatness, His power and character, all of the other beings fear Him with a holy reverence. With this revelation of the majesty that awaits us in God’s presence we are also brought to a point of confrontation as each of us is compelled to answer the question “who is like the Lord?” Can any man find any being who is worthy of comparison to the Lord? Satan coveted God’s stature and rebelled against Him in his pursuit but how can the glory of the created compare with the glory of the uncreated? There can be no comparison for all else is destined to be lesser and for this Satan rages with jealousy, but our God reigns!
This passage from Psalm 89 does not stop with this dynamic insight into the mystical realms of God’s glory. It is uniquely wonderful for its contrast of two such distinctly different aspects of God’s being. The heavens praise not only God’s wonders, His power and the works that He does, they praise His character qualities as well. In the realms of man it is too often great talents and abilities that receive the attention of others. This Psalm elevates character to the same level of praiseworthiness.
Verse eight closes out this passage with such clarity as it makes two simple statements: “You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” God’s might is the subject of much praise, but it is comforting to know that of equal value in the courts of heaven is God’s faithfulness. To know that God has chosen to surround Himself with faithfulness is to inform our hearts that not only is God able to do all that He may desire to do, He is also committed to acting from a place of character not just absolute power. There is a common saying in the realms of earthly power structures that “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” With God however, this is not the case. Psalm 89 is comforting for its revelation that even though our God possesses this absolute power, He has chosen to present Himself as absolutely faithful as well.
Consider for a moment the image portrayed in this psalm. When something is surrounded with something else then that which is the covering is what can be seen, not primarily that which is within! For this passage to declare that God has surrounded Himself with faithfulness is to state that His choice is that when we look at Him His faithfulness is what we see! Perhaps this IS the glory of God. To know that an absolutely powerful creator will only reveal Himself to us through this covering of faithfulness is a statement so wonderful, so assuring, that in and of itself it is a source of praise! To possess power perfectly is a standard that is worthy or praise!
Imagine this reality: God is more famous in heaven than He is on the earth! In the place where God dwells all of the creatures both high and low of the eternal realm behold the glory and power of God. They witness His mighty works, His faithfulness and His acts of kindness towards men and they praise Him! Gathered around God in the courts of heaven there is assembled not only a great company of worshippers from every tribe and nation, there is a beings of indescribable power and majesty who behold the works of the Lord with awe and wonder.
This statement “who in the skies above can compare with the Lord,” identifies the reality that God does not abide alone. “Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?” The book of Revelation describes a number of scenes from around the throne of God but it is certainly an incomplete description of all that is taking place there. Psalm 89 opens our eyes to a great throne room scene complete with a diversity of heavenly beings who serve God as He governs the earth. This passage clearly identifies this host of heavenly beings as diverse enough that a broad contrast between their many different forms and the much greater power and majesty that is found in the person of the Lord God Almighty!
Verse seven describes the reality that there is a heavenly council that gathers around the throne of God. Eternal beings, each one awesome in their majesty and yet we are told that the Mighty God is more awesome than them all. We are told that in contrast to His greatness, His power and character, all of the other beings fear Him with a holy reverence. With this revelation of the majesty that awaits us in God’s presence we are also brought to a point of confrontation as each of us is compelled to answer the question “who is like the Lord?” Can any man find any being who is worthy of comparison to the Lord? Satan coveted God’s stature and rebelled against Him in his pursuit but how can the glory of the created compare with the glory of the uncreated? There can be no comparison for all else is destined to be lesser and for this Satan rages with jealousy, but our God reigns!
This passage from Psalm 89 does not stop with this dynamic insight into the mystical realms of God’s glory. It is uniquely wonderful for its contrast of two such distinctly different aspects of God’s being. The heavens praise not only God’s wonders, His power and the works that He does, they praise His character qualities as well. In the realms of man it is too often great talents and abilities that receive the attention of others. This Psalm elevates character to the same level of praiseworthiness.
Verse eight closes out this passage with such clarity as it makes two simple statements: “You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” God’s might is the subject of much praise, but it is comforting to know that of equal value in the courts of heaven is God’s faithfulness. To know that God has chosen to surround Himself with faithfulness is to inform our hearts that not only is God able to do all that He may desire to do, He is also committed to acting from a place of character not just absolute power. There is a common saying in the realms of earthly power structures that “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” With God however, this is not the case. Psalm 89 is comforting for its revelation that even though our God possesses this absolute power, He has chosen to present Himself as absolutely faithful as well.
Consider for a moment the image portrayed in this psalm. When something is surrounded with something else then that which is the covering is what can be seen, not primarily that which is within! For this passage to declare that God has surrounded Himself with faithfulness is to state that His choice is that when we look at Him His faithfulness is what we see! Perhaps this IS the glory of God. To know that an absolutely powerful creator will only reveal Himself to us through this covering of faithfulness is a statement so wonderful, so assuring, that in and of itself it is a source of praise! To possess power perfectly is a standard that is worthy or praise!
Monday
Psalm 86:17 - September 7, 2009
Ps 86:17 “Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.” NIV
When God’s favor is on a person, a family or a work (congregation, business, etc.), His kindness to them is a declaration not only of His goodness but of His power to work in the lives of His people. David is crying out for a sign of God’s goodness not simply because of his desire for more blessing but as an act of spiritual warfare and as a social statement of God’s favor upon him. David understands that when a servant of God is blessed with God’s blessings that it is actually God who receives glory!
It is a powerful thing when our adversaries, those who do not love the Lord, see blessings outpoured from heaven in ways that no man can arrange in his own strength. When people see the miraculous works of God He receives glory even it is man who receives the divine intervention. David understands that adversaries are silenced when God’s endorsement through supernatural means makes a statement that heaven is working on behalf of this situation. When doctors declare that a person is going to die and God reverses their condition it is God not the patient who receives the praise. When someone who is on the edge of losing everything to bankruptcy suddenly is delivered through either miraculous legal decisions or unexpected financial intervention it is God who is glorified. When the natural options are bypassed and that which only God can perform shifts the outcome of something from certain and expected failure to surprising success it is God whose fame is spread through the testimony of thankful hearts!
God greatly enjoys comforting His people, not only with emotional support but with divine deliverance. All those who know the Lord have a record of the great things that God has done throughout history to turn evil to good and disaster to victory. Today, set your eyes on the Lord and His power to save, not on the mountain you face and begin to thank Him, and ask Him for a sign of His goodness to bring glory to His name through your victory. Be strengthened by the words of our gracious Lord who said in Matt 19:26 "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
When God’s favor is on a person, a family or a work (congregation, business, etc.), His kindness to them is a declaration not only of His goodness but of His power to work in the lives of His people. David is crying out for a sign of God’s goodness not simply because of his desire for more blessing but as an act of spiritual warfare and as a social statement of God’s favor upon him. David understands that when a servant of God is blessed with God’s blessings that it is actually God who receives glory!
It is a powerful thing when our adversaries, those who do not love the Lord, see blessings outpoured from heaven in ways that no man can arrange in his own strength. When people see the miraculous works of God He receives glory even it is man who receives the divine intervention. David understands that adversaries are silenced when God’s endorsement through supernatural means makes a statement that heaven is working on behalf of this situation. When doctors declare that a person is going to die and God reverses their condition it is God not the patient who receives the praise. When someone who is on the edge of losing everything to bankruptcy suddenly is delivered through either miraculous legal decisions or unexpected financial intervention it is God who is glorified. When the natural options are bypassed and that which only God can perform shifts the outcome of something from certain and expected failure to surprising success it is God whose fame is spread through the testimony of thankful hearts!
God greatly enjoys comforting His people, not only with emotional support but with divine deliverance. All those who know the Lord have a record of the great things that God has done throughout history to turn evil to good and disaster to victory. Today, set your eyes on the Lord and His power to save, not on the mountain you face and begin to thank Him, and ask Him for a sign of His goodness to bring glory to His name through your victory. Be strengthened by the words of our gracious Lord who said in Matt 19:26 "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Sunday
Ps 86:11 "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." NIV
Are you teachable? Can the Lord guide you with His voice instead of His rod? The Lord is a gifted teacher and He would rather teach us than correct us. The nature of the Lord is that of a father who desires to prepare His sons and daughters to succeed in life. This truth is clearly stated in Ps 32:8 where the Lord declares His willingness to be our teacher and guide, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” However He also presents the greatest challenge to His success in teaching us His ways, a stubborn spirit in the heart of many men. In verse 9 the Lord states, “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.”
This passage in psalms 86 is powerful for its directness. The simple commitment of the heart is one that should be shared by all who know the Lord, “teach me… and I will walk in it!” This commitment to learning the ways of the Lord and obeying them is the foundation to growing from grace to grace in the fruitfulness of the Lord. Man’s heart is wayward and yet God in His mercy continues to reach out with cries of wisdom and truth seeking to direct us into the path of blessing. Most mistakes, most painful errors of judgment are those that grow out of self-will that is not surrendered to the direction of God that He offers to our lives. When God has to apply pressure to get us to go in the right direction it is often with great cost to ourselves and others. When Jonah had to be compelled to follow it came at the expense of great fear and stress coming upon the lives of those who were drawn into his world as he ran from the Lord. Each time king David yielded to the voice of his self-will it produced great loss for both himself and many others around him as the judgments of God resulted in death and damaged relationships on all sides of him. In each case David was restored to the right path by God’s mercy but at great cost.
David writes psalm 86 from a life of having experienced both the power of obedience and the pain of rebellion in his walk with God. It is from this seasoned place that he cries out for the greatest necessity of all: “give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” David has lived with a divided heart. When his passion pulled him into adultery and his pride caused him to number the troops of Israel these actions were the reflection of a heart that was divided between the Lord and other things. Psalm 86 is a cry of self-awareness and need. “Help my heart Lord!” David is supremely aware of what flows out of his life when his heart is filled with mixture and he lifts up a cry to be restored to a right fear of the Lord. It is certain that his son Solomon who wrote the timeless passage in Prov 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline,” learned this vital principle from his father’s struggle to maintain a heart that was pleasing to the Lord. Let it be our cry today that the Lord would work in us this undivided heart that is directed by a reverent fear of a holy God.
Are you teachable? Can the Lord guide you with His voice instead of His rod? The Lord is a gifted teacher and He would rather teach us than correct us. The nature of the Lord is that of a father who desires to prepare His sons and daughters to succeed in life. This truth is clearly stated in Ps 32:8 where the Lord declares His willingness to be our teacher and guide, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” However He also presents the greatest challenge to His success in teaching us His ways, a stubborn spirit in the heart of many men. In verse 9 the Lord states, “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.”
This passage in psalms 86 is powerful for its directness. The simple commitment of the heart is one that should be shared by all who know the Lord, “teach me… and I will walk in it!” This commitment to learning the ways of the Lord and obeying them is the foundation to growing from grace to grace in the fruitfulness of the Lord. Man’s heart is wayward and yet God in His mercy continues to reach out with cries of wisdom and truth seeking to direct us into the path of blessing. Most mistakes, most painful errors of judgment are those that grow out of self-will that is not surrendered to the direction of God that He offers to our lives. When God has to apply pressure to get us to go in the right direction it is often with great cost to ourselves and others. When Jonah had to be compelled to follow it came at the expense of great fear and stress coming upon the lives of those who were drawn into his world as he ran from the Lord. Each time king David yielded to the voice of his self-will it produced great loss for both himself and many others around him as the judgments of God resulted in death and damaged relationships on all sides of him. In each case David was restored to the right path by God’s mercy but at great cost.
David writes psalm 86 from a life of having experienced both the power of obedience and the pain of rebellion in his walk with God. It is from this seasoned place that he cries out for the greatest necessity of all: “give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” David has lived with a divided heart. When his passion pulled him into adultery and his pride caused him to number the troops of Israel these actions were the reflection of a heart that was divided between the Lord and other things. Psalm 86 is a cry of self-awareness and need. “Help my heart Lord!” David is supremely aware of what flows out of his life when his heart is filled with mixture and he lifts up a cry to be restored to a right fear of the Lord. It is certain that his son Solomon who wrote the timeless passage in Prov 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline,” learned this vital principle from his father’s struggle to maintain a heart that was pleasing to the Lord. Let it be our cry today that the Lord would work in us this undivided heart that is directed by a reverent fear of a holy God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)