Where do you go with your internal battles?

 Psalm 55:1–23 (ESV):  

1  Give ear to my prayer, O God, 

and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! 

2  Attend to me, and answer me; 

I am restless in my complaint and I moan, 

3  because of the noise of the enemy, 

because of the oppression of the wicked. 

For they drop trouble upon me, 

and in anger they bear a grudge against me. 

4  My heart is in anguish within me; 

the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 

5  Fear and trembling come upon me, 

and horror overwhelms me. 

6  And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! 

I would fly away and be at rest; 

7  yes, I would wander far away; 

I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah 

8  I would hurry to find a shelter 

from the raging wind and tempest.” 

9  Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; 

for I see violence and strife in the city. 

10  Day and night they go around it 

on its walls, 

and iniquity and trouble are within it; 

11  ruin is in its midst; 

oppression and fraud 

do not depart from its marketplace. 

12  For it is not an enemy who taunts me— 

then I could bear it; 

it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— 

then I could hide from him. 

13  But it is you, a man, my equal, 

my companion, my familiar friend. 

14  We used to take sweet counsel together; 

within God’s house we walked in the throng. 

15  Let death steal over them; 

let them go down to Sheol alive; 

for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. 

16  But I call to God, 

and the Lord will save me. 

17  Evening and morning and at noon 

I utter my complaint and moan, 

and he hears my voice. 

18  He redeems my soul in safety 

from the battle that I wage, 

for many are arrayed against me. 

19  God will give ear and humble them, 

he who is enthroned from of old, Selah 

because they do not change 

and do not fear God. 

20  My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; 

he violated his covenant. 

21  His speech was smooth as butter, 

yet war was in his heart; 

his words were softer than oil, 

yet they were drawn swords. 

22  Cast your burden on the Lord, 

and he will sustain you; 

he will never permit 

the righteous to be moved. 

23  But you, O God, will cast them down 

into the pit of destruction; 

men of blood and treachery 

shall not live out half their days. 

But I will trust in you. 

David has not only experienced physical battles, but also the inner turmoil of the soul. This psalm explains a situation where he was emotionally and mentally strained by the betrayal of, ‘my equal, my companion, my familiar friend’. David was battling with the pain and despair of a broken relationship and the disappointment, chaos, life change and mental strife that this caused. Have you ever experienced such heartache and mental anguish? 

Most of us have. The thing is, this battle that we face is not usually obvious because it’s predominantly internal. Our emotions and mind replay events, conversations and memories, and these can lead to; confusion, anger and sadness all raging inside. It is a furious internal war, yet not many others would be aware of it. In a physical war it is obvious - you see the damage and physical discomfort, but an internal battle is often hidden even though there is also extensive damage and pain. The internal battles that we face are tougher and more wearing than any external ones and we cannot escape them. 

David says, ‘I am restless in my complaint and I moan, 3  because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked.’ He hears the sound of the disappointment, the grief and pain, the ‘noise of the enemy’ clanging around inside him as the memories and recent events replay. The noise of the internal processing of the betrayal and the personal turmoil that has been caused is louder than any trumpet blast or roar of a crowd. David doesn’t deny it or downplay it, instead he admits the difficulty he is having trying to get his head round what has happened. You don’t have to try to explain, minimise or hide from the internal anguish you suffer either. The internal battles are difficult as they are often unknown to others and rage constantly, day and night, with no rest. David was experiencing this as he wrote Psalm 55. He accepts that he is; restless, oppressed, in trouble, feeling terrified and in anguish. If you feel that way today, or have ever felt like that, know that it is ok. It is alright to feel disappointed, hurt, afraid at times, restless and concerned, and it is ok to admit it too. Even as a person of God, even as a friend, parent, manager or colleague, it is ok. It is usual for people to suffer with their thoughts, you are not alone. David was troubled with a hurt heart and mental anguish and he was a loved and respected king, father, husband and a faithful man of God. Yet here we are thousands of years later reading about and relating to his internal pain. He was not ashamed to admit how frustrated, disappointed and upset he was about things. He was open and honest about it. He told God exactly what was going on for him, how he felt, how troubled he was, and that he expected God to do something about it! 

You see, although David knew he was suffering, he did not choose to dwell in the despair and disappointment. He did not want to stay feeling like this, and he knew where his help and comfort would come from. He had a strong, personal relationship with Almighty God, so he told God about what was going on in his life. He let God know how he felt, even the worst bits such as wishing his enemy dead and wanting to permanently escape (v7 and 15). David was not ashamed to be really honest about his emotions, even admitting when he was in deep despair and inner turmoil. Are you that honest? With yourself and with God?

I cannot imagine that this psalm was spoken clearly and calmly, can you? I imagine it to have been a passionate outpouring of tears, anger and sobs, releasing some of the hurt and disappointment as the words spilled out. David was overwhelmed, hurt and disappointed as he goes to the God - the One he can trust with it all, and the One that can help, strengthen and comfort. David admits he wants to escape this torment, yet he knows that even going to a different place will not change the internal discomfort. For it is his heart that ‘is in anguish’ and no matter where he goes he cannot escape his own heart or memories, so he knows he has to deal with it. Therefore, David’s response is to ‘call to God’. No-one else can help him, restore his soul, bind up his broken heart or breakthrough this trouble. So he goes to the One he knows can influence any and every heart and situation for, ‘the Lord will save me’. David knows that although he feels overcome and like he wants to get away from it all, God, ‘redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage’. Both the physical and internal battles God can help with. He is the one who can inspire, strengthen and give your soul refuge (v1). He is the one that can bring you; relief, provision, strength and redemption. Are you allowing God to it? 

Do you go to God with your struggles? Are you really real about how you are doing when you speak to Him?

When you feel overwhelmed and overcome by circumstances and experience internal strife, you can, ‘cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you’. Yet God can only help you as much as you let Him. David wanted God’s help in every area of his life, even the messy bits. Are you allowing God to see and have influence in every area of your life? Will you allow Him to see and heal the internal anguish? God will hear and help you if you go to Him, then like David you too will be able to say, ‘in you my soul takes refuge’.

Is your faith as secure as David’s?

 Psalm 54:1–7 (ESV):  

1  O God, save me by your name, 

and vindicate me by your might. 

2  O God, hear my prayer; 

give ear to the words of my mouth. 

3  For strangers have risen against me; 

ruthless men seek my life; 

they do not set God before themselves. Selah 

4  Behold, God is my helper; 

the Lord is the upholder of my life. 

5  He will return the evil to my enemies; 

in your faithfulness put an end to them. 

6  With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; 

I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good. 

7  For he has delivered me from every trouble, 

and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. 

Prayers do not have to be long, even when you are desperate. In this psalm we see David calling out to God in distress. He needed his life saving, he was confused and on the run. David had been anointed king years ago, he had been the soother of Saul’s soul through music and was a loyal and successful soldier in the king’s army, and now he is running for his life! King Saul who had once delighted in David had turned vehemently against him and now sought to kill him. So, David had to escape. David knew the promise of God on his life, yet right now, he had to run away to survive. Even though David did not understand what was happening and certainly did not like it, he still honoured and obeyed God. He did not take the change in circumstance as a withdrawal of God’s purposes, plans or favour. He still trusted and believed in God and set his heart and mind on following Him rather than pursuing his own ease and comfort. That is tough isn’t it?! When it seems like the opposite to the promises of God are happening, you can feel abandoned and rejected by Him. You can feel hurt, confused, angry, disappointed and in despair. What is your response when things like this happen? Do you run away from God, get involved in unhelpful habits, or do you continue to trust and believe in Him and proceed to honour and obey Him like David did?

David was uncomfortable and scared as he wrote this psalm, he implored God to intervene and ‘save me’. He saw the reality of what was happening and he called upon God as, ‘the upholder of my life’. David trusted God to sustain and provide for him, not just material things but every breath. Even when he was chased and persecuted he recognised that God is the only one who was in control of his life - how long it lasts and how it ends. David’s security was in God. He knew that God's promises still stood, and that they would be fulfilled because a) God had promised and b) his life was not yet over so there was still time! David was assured through the relationship that he had developed with God  that God supports those who honour and obey Him. He knew that God is faithful, powerful, helpful and has a plan beyond any human one. He accepted that God will fulfil His will even when it seems ridiculous or impossible. 

Do you have confidence in God like that?

The problem with this kind of admirable, secure faith that David has is that it grows through adversity. David knew God had saved him from; bears, lions, giants, and mighty warriors. Therefore David was certain that God would not allow anything to thwart the promises God had made to him. David had learnt that God was trustworthy and true and worth betting his life on. If David stayed close to God, he knew that God would continue to save him, ‘from every trouble’ and allow him to look ‘in triumph on my enemies’. David knew this because of the trials he had already faced with God so trust had been built. When you face troubles do you know that God is right there with you in it? Have you successfully followed God through the trials so that your faith is built and becomes secure? Security in God and the confidence that David had come because you have previously overcome through hard times honouring God and following Him throughout. Keeping your eyes open for what God can and will do and holding firmly onto His promises. So, take some time to consider, what troubles has God got you through? Where are your victories? 

You too can trust in God today as the ‘upholder of my life’. Recall the promises He has spoken over you and keep following Him, then you too will know God’s power, deliverance and remarkable triumphs. 

Careless talk costs lives

 Psalm 52:1–9 (ESV):  

1  Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? 

The steadfast love of God endures all the day. 

2  Your tongue plots destruction, 

like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. 

3  You love evil more than good, 

and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah 

4  You love all words that devour, 

O deceitful tongue. 

5  But God will break you down forever; 

he will snatch and tear you from your tent; 

he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah 

6  The righteous shall see and fear, 

and shall laugh at him, saying, 

7  “See the man who would not make 

God his refuge, 

but trusted in the abundance of his riches 

and sought refuge in his own destruction!” 

8  But I am like a green olive tree 

in the house of God. 

I trust in the steadfast love of God 

forever and ever. 

9  I will thank you forever, 

because you have done it. 

I will wait for your name, for it is good, 

in the presence of the godly. 

Do you feel sorry for the man that is spoken of as a devouring tongue? 

It is not a pleasant metaphor - to be compared to a tongue, particularly one which is deceitful, lying and destructive. Throughout scripture we are warned about the power and difficulty of taming the tongue. You can get caught up with ideas and words and end up saying things you do not mean, creating trouble you never intended when you do not take words seriously, or are negligent in controlling what you say. Words have power (see Proverbs 18:21). I am sure that you have been both inspired and hurt by others’ words. I am also sure that you also have inspired and hurt others in the way you have spoken. 

This psalm serves as a great reminder of the power of words and that you and I can get carried away by them. They can form your life and that of others. Words have power to build or destroy, they can effect a reputation and impact relationships. Words have power, therefore be careful how you use them. 

Doeg, the person referred to as the ‘tongue’ was not wise in how he handled the information and words that he had. Maybe he did not consider the full ramification of the words he spoke as he told Saul about David’s whereabouts and the help David and his men had received. Through sharing this information Doeg caused the deaths of many - he murdered the priest Ahimelech then slaughtered his family, 85 priests and the entire city where they lived. The situation snowballed because Doeg was not considered in what he said or to whom he said it. As a result of sharing information with Saul Doeg became a mass murderer, and now has a reputation of being a deceitful, lying, destructive tongue. 

We do not know what the man was like before. He may have been a faithful, valiant warrior, a strong father and a loving friend, but all we know is of who he became because of what he communicated in this situation. We see a the murderous, deceitful, selfish man. There is nothing good that we see in Doeg's reputation due to what he said and then what he did. From his report to Saul his life descended into further destruction. I wonder if he considered the ramifications of sharing the news of David' whereabouts. 

Do not let your life become a result of the effects of the unwise things you say. It is easy to get excited when speaking and get carried away by what you say until you say too much or something hurtful. Words can cause destruction and chaos, but can equally bring comfort and joy.  It is your responsibility how you use them and with what intent, as once spoken the words cannot be erased from those who hear them. You can bring about a clever little quip, a little exaggeration, hoping for a laugh or to impress, but where does that end up? How about promising with good intention, but not delivering? Even trying to relate to someone can end up with over sharing information and can be damaging. Maybe for Doeg it started because he wanted to impress Saul or get noticed amongst the many soldiers, advisers and leaders that surrounded the king, and so with no other thought than ambition told him this news. Yet much pain, suffering and death ensued from Doeg’s report. 

During the Second World War there was a campaign that warned, ‘careless talk costs lives’, we can see from this account of Doeg how true that is. Words are powerful, they can build up or destroy, they can breathe life into situations or death, so be mindful how you use them. Be considered in how you speak and what you say. Do not be carefree and careless; your reputation and the wellbeing of others depends upon the words of your mouth. 

David, on the other hand, considers the way he communicates. In this psalm he is not ranting to his friends, or anyone else, but he is bringing his thoughts to God. He knows the power of waiting on God and depending on Him to make right the situation. He sees the sin and deceit, but he does not desire to have an argument or battle with Doeg. He is assured that God has seen what has occurred and is equally assured that, in time, God will deal with it. David is content to wait for the actions of God rather than pursue his own vengeance. David reminds himself that the sinful who purposefully act against God and speak against His people are not going to reign in life for long. One day, and not too far off, their plans will cease to succeed as God has a plan for His glory to be displayed. Those, like Doeg, who,‘would not make God his refuge’ and who ‘sought refuge in destruction’ will end up being broken, uprooted, and a source of laughter rather than fear. One day this power, respect and authority will be destroyed as they have no protection other than the destruction they have caused. Whereas those who continue to honour, obey and love God can ‘trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever’. God’s love, character, goodness and longevity will never run out, it is available all day, every day, so rest and remain secure in that knowledge. In time, David was vindicated, he became king and ruled the nation of Israel well. This situation with Doeg just became a small part of the story of his life before that. I imagine that when David looked back at his life this instance was not one that featured largely in his memory. The same is true for you. The pain of today will not last for long. When people speak against you, their power and influence may last for a time but it cannot effect your identity or the promises of God in your life. Instead of holding concern for those things, bring them to God and allow Him to deal with it, and carry on living the life God has given you. One day, those who speak destruction over you will themselves be destroyed. Instead, you need to, 'trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever'.

cleanse me from my sin!

 Psalm 51:1–19 (ESV):  

1  Have mercy on me, O God, 

according to your steadfast love; 

according to your abundant mercy 

blot out my transgressions. 

2  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, 

and cleanse me from my sin! 

3  For I know my transgressions, 

and my sin is ever before me. 

4  Against you, you only, have I sinned 

and done what is evil in your sight, 

so that you may be justified in your words 

and blameless in your judgment. 

5  Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, 

and in sin did my mother conceive me. 

6  Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, 

and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 

7  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; 

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 

8  Let me hear joy and gladness; 

let the bones that you have broken 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 right spirit within me. 

11  Cast me not away from your presence, 

and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 

12  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, 

and uphold me with a willing spirit. 

13  Then I will teach transgressors your ways, 

and sinners will return to you. 

14  Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, 

O God of my salvation, 

and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 

15  O Lord, open my lips, 

and my mouth will declare your praise. 

16  For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; 

you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 

17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; 

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 

18  Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; 

build up the walls of Jerusalem; 

19  then will you delight in right sacrifices, 

in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; 

then bulls will be offered on your altar. 

This psalm is a heartfelt response to the recognition of sin. This is a great example of how each of us should respond when we get it wrong. Have you ever approached God like this, in humble acceptance and deep repentance for the things you have done? 

This psalm is written by David. It shows that he realised the depth of what he had done, that his wrongdoing had torn apart his relationship with God and that it was beyond his ability to repair it. David knew the only way to be restored was to humbly request that God deal with the source of sin and get rid of it from his life. David implores God to, 'blot out my iniquities.....create in me a clean heart....renew a right spirit....cast me not away......restore me.... uphold me.....deliver me from bloodguiltiness'. There's a lot there. When you repent of sin there's a process. First, you need to acknowledge what you have done wrong and desire to get rid of the sin. Then you need God's help to clean up your actions, change your mindset and behaviour. All the time desiring, not just that the sin and guilt goes away, but that the relationship between you and God is restored. 

Repentance involves total reliance on God. God is the only one that can take away sin, renew your spirit, transform your mind and repair the rift in the relationship that you have caused. It is all God. You just need to come before Him; recognise your wrongs and desire not to do it anymore. Tell God how you feel and ask for Him to give you another chance by cancelling out the sin and changing and developing your character. David shows the process to be free from the guilt and shame of sin. It starts with admission, a heartfelt desire to get rid of the inner turmoil. It involves giving over what you have done wrong and trusting God to deal with it rather than trying to get yourself out of trouble. Then it ends with forgiveness, cleanness of heart and restoration of relationship with God. This is how you should deal with sin in your life. God can restore you and forgive you. Are you letting yourself enjoy the beauty of forgiveness?

David's reason for writing this psalm was that he had just recognised the depth of sin that he had become embroiled in. He hadn't seen it before, but now he realises what he has done and he is ashamed of his actions. Not just in the transgression that started it, but the ongoing way in which he hand handled the original sin. What he had originally done wrong he tried to hide and so the sins snowballed. He started to sin in other ways to try to cover up the first thing he had done wrong. Have you ever done that?

David had been visited by Nathan the prophet who revealed to him his sin in his dealings with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). Nathan was told by God to confront the king and show him his sin in order to bring David to repentance (2 Samuel 12). Before Nathan came, David had not recognised nor repented of the sinful actions he had performed. It must have been terrifying for Nathan to have to confront this powerful king who had ruthlessly gone after what he wanted in this situation, who had been adulterous, deceptive and even plotted and murdered in order to prevent sin being revealed. One sin had led to another and another in this situation, as it often does for you and I. Sin snowballs and we can end up feeling stuck and like there is no way out. I wonder if that is how David felt. He needed Nathan to point out his errors, to show him the way he had sinned and to let David know that he can come back to God even though God is greatly displeased with him right now. It was a risky thing Nathan had to do - confront this king who had become so embroiled in sin that he had killed an innocent man. Yet David responds with heartfelt humility and repentance. He does not deny his wrong, downplay it or try to explain it away. Instead he understands the sin he has committed and responds as we all should - He cries to God for mercy. He accepts God’s unfailing love, God’s discipline, punishment and correction. David now sees and accept he has sinned and he admits that it is God who has been wronged by him (v4). He responds, not in anger towards Nathan or anyone else, but actually this challenge from Nathan has led David to finally outpour how he feels and to repent. David knew he had done wrong before, but he needed to be confronted with it in order to get before God about it and allow himself to be forgiven. It was as if he was waiting for the opportunity to confess and get right with God. He did not seem to be able to do it on his own, only as a result of being confronted by a man of God. Sometimes we get so caught up with sinful actions and wrong modes of thinking that we need someone else to point it out to us otherwise we remain stuck, unrepentant and unforgiven. How would you respond if someone confronts you about an issue of sin or wrongdoing?

David acknowledges his sin once it is pointed out, and he responds in prayer for God’s mercy. He knows that God still loves him (v1) and that he can still approach God and belong to Him (v14). Do you still know and accept these truths when you go awry? Would this be your response? Often I know people can get angry and upset when sin is pointed out. Remember the bravery of Nathan. Nathan had to confront the king not to pronounce judgement, but to allow repentance and forgiveness to be given. When someone points out sin in your life they do it for the same reason - to give you the opportunity to be free and to restore your relationship with God.

Take your example of how to respond from the psalm of David. Through this prayer of admittance and sorrowful repentance, David admits he has done wrong. He knows God loves him, he asks for the sin to be blotted out, and for God to cleanse him. He knows God’s character and asks for an inside out cleaning up (v7, ‘purge me’). David realises that he himself can do nothing to make the sin go away or to clean up his tendencies to sin, only God can. So, he asks God to do it. David knows it is not a matter of ‘just try harder’ - that doesn’t work. The sin needs to be removed from the heart, from the internal source that is within him. (V7-10). David knows the way to get back into right relationship with God is not through many sacrifices, trying to make up for sin by doing more holy acts or giving abundantly, but what God desires is, ‘a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart’. When you recognise your brokenness, your sinful nature and approach God asking for help, then you can know the powerful love and forgiveness of God. It is only when you acknowledge before God that you are broken beyond repair and accept that there is no way you can sort it on your own, that you can begin to know; restoration, forgiveness, peace, cleanliness and renewal. 

You can know the joy of sin being blotted out and purged from your innermost being because of Jesus. God has always desired that you be forgiven from sin, that is why Jesus took upon all the guilt, shame and sin of the world. He bore all sin as he died, and buried them in the grave so that you do not have to carry around the pain of them anymore, and so you can be made clean and right before God. You can approach God admitting your errors and sins and ask Him to cleanse and forgive you. You can be made right before God today as David was, as millions of others have been throughout the centuries. The same steadfast love and forgiveness is available to you if you follow David’s example. Approach God today with whatever needs to be made right, renewed or removed from your life. Then ask God to; ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence’. He will do it. 

Are you living to receive the salvation of God?

 Psalm 50:1–23 (ESV):  

1  The Mighty One, God the Lord, 

speaks and summons the earth 

from the rising of the sun to its setting. 

2  Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, 

God shines forth. 

3  Our God comes; he does not keep silence; 

before him is a devouring fire, 

around him a mighty tempest. 

4  He calls to the heavens above 

and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 

5  “Gather to me my faithful ones, 

who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” 

6  The heavens declare his righteousness, 

for God himself is judge! Selah 

7  “Hear, O my people, and I will speak; 

O Israel, I will testify against you. 

I am God, your God. 

8  Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; 

your burnt offerings are continually before me. 

9  I will not accept a bull from your house 

or goats from your folds. 

10  For every beast of the forest is mine, 

the cattle on a thousand hills. 

11  I know all the birds of the hills, 

and all that moves in the field is mine. 

12  “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, 

for the world and its fullness are mine. 

13  Do I eat the flesh of bulls 

or drink the blood of goats? 

14  Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, 

and perform your vows to the Most High, 

15  and call upon me in the day of trouble; 

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” 

16  But to the wicked God says: 

“What right have you to recite my statutes 

or take my covenant on your lips? 

17  For you hate discipline, 

and you cast my words behind you. 

18  If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, 

and you keep company with adulterers. 

19  “You give your mouth free rein for evil, 

and your tongue frames deceit. 

20  You sit and speak against your brother; 

you slander your own mother’s son. 

21  These things you have done, and I have been silent; 

you thought that I was one like yourself. 

But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. 

22  “Mark this, then, you who forget God, 

lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! 

23  The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; 

to one who orders his way rightly 

I will show the salvation of God!” 

One day everyone on the whole Earth will be judged. There will be no escape and no valid excuses when you are face-to-face with the Almighty God. He knows what your life has been like, and He will judge you on how you have chosen to live it. He will not be bothered by how much money or material goods you have presented Him with - He does not care about the content of your wallet - but He will judge you for the level of sacrificial obedience you have shown, for He cares about the content of your heart.

God’s expectations of how you live your life might be different to yours. You see, He sees beyond your outward actions and He sees the motives and desires within. God requires that you live a genuine life that demonstrates faith in Him that is not just an internal belief, but outworked. This psalm tells tells us that His 'faithful ones';

• live with God in mind, 
• listen to Him and practice obedience,  
• give to Him (not for show but as a devoted response), 
• keep their promises, 
• express gratitude even when it is difficult, 
• do not just recite the rules but keep them, 
• accept discipline, 
• reject and revile evil, not support it, 
• consider who they spend time with, 
• watch what they say, 
• do not lie,
• honour others and do not speak ill of them, 
• do not forget or reject God.

It is easy to just skip through that list, but it is worth reflective consideration. Are you falling down on any of these points? How is your life of obedience looking in comparison to God’s expectations? Maybe there are some things you need to change in order to be considered a 'faithful one'. If so, that's ok, you can start work on that today. One day, and no-one knows when, you will be face to face with God. Then it will be too late to start work on being a faithful follower of God. For God will, 'judge his people', are you living in such a way that prepares you well for that time?

God cares about your decisions and your behaviour. The list of attitudes and actions in this psalm reflect how much you really believe in, trust and follow Him. Interestingly, it seems that your faithful obedience to God actually reveals itself through your attitude and behaviour towards other people. How you treat others matters because it shows if you are really obedient God or not. If you mistreat someone, no matter their behaviour to you, you are not demonstrating that you understand how to live a life loving God as you are disregarding the fact that each individual has been created in the image of God. How can you honour God if you dishonour His creation? 

‘Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High’ (v14). Living a sacrificial life sometimes means not behaving in the way you naturally want to, and it often means not going along with the crowd. So ensure that you are not; swearing, lying, taking part in coarse jokes, complaining, stealing even by taking things from the workplace, talking against others. I am sure you come across people that take part in these types of behaviours often, they are quite universally common. Yet you, if you are someone who desires to be acceptable to God, you need to stop behaving like this. These actions do not honour God or anyone else. God requires that you live sacrificially, gratefully and keep your promises, do not be like everyone else. Instead be genuine and sacrificial in your dealings with others, be kind, gentle, respectful, and speak up for those no-one else will for this is what Jesus would do. Live above reproach and ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you do the things that you know are right but are difficult. God wants you to succeed, that is why you have scripture to help inform and guide you! Are you taking note of how God is instructing you to live? Making the hard changes that will develop your character and show others that you are living for something beyond yourself?

One day you will be called to come face-to-face with God. It is important you prepare for that day. The Bible tells us what God is like, has examples of how His people should and should not live - are you taking these things onboard to influence your behaviours and decisions? Just reading the Bible, attending church, praying and financially contributing to the church will not provide you salvation. This psalm makes that clear as does the rest of scripture, these actions will not necessarily make you acceptable or righteous before God. You need to implement the Word of God to your life, not just go through the motions. God requires ‘faithful ones’ who ‘orders his way rightly’ and offer ‘thanksgiving as his sacrifice’. God does not want people who; can recall His words but not do them, give money abundantly but do not give Him their heart, say one thing and do another, are different in different situations, are uncontrolled in their speech or who disregard His teachings and do their own thing. If you know that is how you have been living, today is a chance for you to repent. To recognise where you have gone wrong and turn your life around. It is important how you live now and how you treat others because it shows how much you really believe and trust in God. How you manage your mouth, your mind and your body reflect your obedience and love of God and is demonstrated in your interactions with others. What do these things show about the faith you have?

The day of judgement is coming. If you live your life dependent upon and obedient to God, then God promises that you will shown His salvation (v23)! What a marvellous promise! If your life is dedicated to God it will be seen by others and by Him. Not only will you have the joy of acceptance on that day, but God also promises that when you, ‘call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will glorify me’. Even in the here and now God assures you that He will be present and help. He will hear the cries and please of His faithful ones. He will rescue you when you are in trouble. What a great reassurance and hope you can have when you live as a dedicated follower of God! You can know God's presence now, and you can be assured of His acceptance when the day of judgement comes. Are you living in such a way to receive it? 

How you live matters

 Psalm 49:1–20 (ESV):  

1  Hear this, all peoples! 

Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 

2  both low and high, 

rich and poor together! 

3  My mouth shall speak wisdom; 

the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 

4  I will incline my ear to a proverb; 

I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 

5  Why should I fear in times of trouble, 

when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, 

6  those who trust in their wealth 

and boast of the abundance of their riches? 

7  Truly no man can ransom another, 

or give to God the price of his life, 

8  for the ransom of their life is costly 

and can never suffice, 

9  that he should live on forever 

and never see the pit. 

10  For he sees that even the wise die; 

the fool and the stupid alike must perish 

and leave their wealth to others. 

11  Their graves are their homes forever, 

their dwelling places to all generations, 

though they called lands by their own names. 

12  Man in his pomp will not remain; 

he is like the beasts that perish. 

13  This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; 

yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah 

14  Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; 

death shall be their shepherd, 

and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. 

Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. 

15  But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, 

for he will receive me. Selah 

16  Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, 

when the glory of his house increases. 

17  For when he dies he will carry nothing away; 

his glory will not go down after him. 

18  For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed 

—and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— 

19  his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, 

who will never again see light. 

20  Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. 

This psalm is a call for people to listen and learn, to consider life and death and what they are living for. I have considered this psalm and written it in my own words, hopefully this will help convey the meaning and give you insight as you read it:

Listen up because I am going to tell you some important and intelligent things. I am willing to listen and learn, considering what I hear and I want to share with you what I know.

Why should I be scared when trouble comes? When people lie, cheat and do wrong things? Or even worry about those who have more than I do, as they trust in material things? Nobody can really buy off another person, or pay off their debt of sin with money. No-one can pay God the debt they owe for their life. No matter how much wealth people may have or what they generously give, it will never be enough to make up for all they have done wrong. Sin has a hefty price that no-one can pay. There is no way anyone can buy their way out of trouble, out of hell (‘the pit’) and into heaven. It is impossible.

Even those with lots of money and material things see other people die without enjoying their riches. Whatever they seemed to have on Earth is quickly taken by others. It doesn’t matter if you are wise or foolish - everyone dies - and their things get left to other people. Whatever is accumulated in life doesn’t remain in your hands for long, yet death outlasts life! You have an eternity where you will not be on this Earth. This is true for every generation. It doesn’t matter if buildings, places or stars are named after you, you still die - Just like all the other animals. 

As for those silly people who go about falsely happy and confident, listening to the flatteries of those that approve of their lifestyle - They are like sheep appointed for the butcher! They are destined for death. Everlasting death. The land of doom and deep darkness is all that is awaiting them at the end of their earthly existence. In the end, it will be those who have lived good, godly, honest lives that will be in authority over them. As God will take care of and receive His people. He saves them from eternal doom and darkness. 

Therefore do not be frightened of those with riches or power, or of those who have many material goods and authority, for what do they take with them when they die? Their authority, riches and power don’t last long and are of no use to them once life is finished. They may consider how wealthy, happy and flourishing they are whilst they are alive, and others may admire and tell them how great they are, yet their soul will not see light after death. Once no longer living on Earth the riches and material things have no importance or value. It is the soul that lives on - where shall it go - to God or to ‘the pit’? So, do not act like one that has not been informed or who is unaware and silly, but take note and understand that we all die - what are you doing to prepare for that?

Hopefully. that re-write shows the powerful persuasion of this psalm. Those that wrote it recognised the importance of taking time to consider life and death and they wanted others to do the same. They remind us that life is short and death is long, so your priorities in life should reflect that reality. Your major investments should not be in the kingdom of Earth, but for the life that follows as that is more long-lasting and significant. You have an eternal future, are you preparing for it? Or are you busy accumulating experiences, wealth or relationships on Earth? There is nothing wrong with having and enjoying these things, but if it is all that you are focussed on and aim for, then when your life ends there’s not going to be much to take with you. There is not a problem with these things in themselves, but the way in which you view things is important. How you live matters. Your attitude, behaviour, values and beliefs have long-term effects. It impacts your experiences now, and after you breathe your last breath. Your values, beliefs and behaviour in this life determine your destination after death. There is more meaning to life than your wallet, relationships and reputation. Are you living with that mindset?

There needs to be an eternal edge to how you live. What you believe and live for has eternal impact. If you live now without any consideration for others or God then your eternal reality will be doom and darkness without God. 

As well as considering your enjoyment and achievements in life, you know one day your life will end. what are you going to be leaving when your numbered days are up? Is it going to be a fortune, reputation, your name plastered around different areas - things that will have no value or use to you when you’re not around any more and in reality, things that have little impact on those left behind. The money and memories may last a few years but they fade in time. Is it not worth investing your time, energy, effort and finance into something that will have eternal benefit to you and to others? 

In order to do that, you need a mindset that is not bound by life, but one that also considers death. You require an attitude that has an eternal mindset. A mindset that acknowledges the truth that life exists beyond your time on Earth. Do not be one of those that live for the here and now and for the speculative future they hope to enjoy on Earth - it is not guaranteed. Yet death is! Life is more than your existence on Earth. One day you will breathe your last. Yet did you know that life can be enjoyed after that? If you live your life following, believing, trusting and obeying God on Earth, then you will have an eternity to enjoy beyond the grave. 

The promise for this psalmist is that, ‘God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me’. For the one that considers and lives for God now this is a certainty. So consider today the kind of life you are living. God promises that you can be received by Him if you live this earthly life with Him and He will help you prepare for the life to come. If you are living with God now, then you’ll be choosing to live with God in the eternity that follows. You will avoid ’the pit’, darkness and eternal doom. How you live now matters. This psalm implores you to consider what you are doing with your life. As how you live now influences your final destination after death. So do not live , ‘in foolish confidence’ because now you know, you have been told. Instead you can live with God and be received by Him. What are you going to choose? 

The city of our God

Psalm 48:1–14 (ESV):  

1  Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised 

in the city of our God! 

His holy mountain, 

2 beautiful in elevation, 

is the joy of all the earth, 

Mount Zion, in the far north, 

the city of the great King. 

3  Within her citadels God 

has made himself known as a fortress. 

4  For behold, the kings assembled; 

they came on together. 

5  As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; 

they were in panic; they took to flight. 

6  Trembling took hold of them there, 

anguish as of a woman in labour. 

7  By the east wind you shattered 

the ships of Tarshish. 

8  As we have heard, so have we seen 

in the city of the Lord of hosts, 

in the city of our God, 

which God will establish forever. Selah 

9  We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, 

in the midst of your temple. 

10  As your name, O God, 

so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. 

Your right hand is filled with righteousness. 

11  Let Mount Zion be glad! 

Let the daughters of Judah rejoice 

because of your judgments! 

12  Walk about Zion, go around her, 

number her towers, 

13  consider well her ramparts, 

go through her citadels, 

that you may tell the next generation 

14  that this is God, 

our God forever and ever. 

He will guide us forever. 

‘The city of our God’ - The place where God dwells and has prepared as a secure environment for His people is the place repeatedly spoken of in this psalm. Although the psalm references Zion as the place, it is clear that the city admired here is the city of God that is to come, not the physical mount in Israel. The phrase ‘in the far north’ for those at the time this psalm was written is equivalent to us British saying ‘up there’, so is a reference to the dwelling place of God, 'the great King', rather than an actual location on Earth. Therefore these clues show that the city written about here is referring to the future city of God as also spoken of in Revelation as well as by some of the Old Testament prophets.

So, what does this psalm tell us about the city of God?

It is:

a place where the Lord dwells (v1)

beautiful, astounding, incredible (v1, 5, 12)

set in a high up place (v1)

Holy (v1)

Awe-inspiring and terrifying (v5-6)

Eternal (v8)

Enormous (v12-13)

Something to talk about and inspire others with (13)

The thing that makes the place special though, is not its appearance, value or worth. There is in fact no mention of the riches or the worth of the city. It is valuable and inspiring simply because God is there. It's majesty and awe-inspiring, fear-instilling beauty is due to the presence of God. Nothing else gives this place its merit or majesty. It is the One that dwells there that makes the city magnificent and terrifying in equal measure. The city is even considered 'holy' - the place itself cannot exude holiness, but is only God presence which makes it so. This holiness is what the assembled 'kings' trembled at; the magnificence, beauty and purity of God caused them to run in fear as they recognised their unworthiness in comparison to just the dwelling place of God. 

A city, dwelling place or location is just a place unless God is present. When God is present there is power, majesty, incomparable beauty and holy fear. God's presence can make any place comforting, strong, majestic and holy when He is invited in. Just look at verse 3. This verse does not consider the city a fortress, but exclaims that God himself is the fortress within the city! He is reason for the strength and protection of the place. It only has these qualities because of who lives and reigns there. The same is true of your life. Who do you allow to live and reign in your life?

Those that you allow God to abide with them allow Him to have impact and influence in their body, home, work place and in their travels. As God takes residence in the lives of those that invite Him in, He brings power, holiness, protection, strength and eternal security. The life of those living with God changes as He displays His character through their lives, displaying the characteristics that we see are present in the city of God described in this psalm. The life lived dwelling with God becomes greater and more beautiful transforming into something worth inspiring future generations (v13). 

What does your life look like? Is it a place that allows God to reign and become like this city? Are you displaying elements of God's character and living a life that can inspire future generations by its solidarity, peace and security?