God has 'worked salvation'

Psalm 98:1–9 (ESV):  

1  Oh sing to the Lord a new song, 

for he has done marvellous things! 

  His right hand and his holy arm 

have worked salvation for him. 

 2  The Lord has made known his salvation; 

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. 

 3  He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness 

to the house of Israel. 

  All the ends of the earth have seen 

the salvation of our God. 

 4  Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; 

break forth into joyous song and sing praises! 

 5  Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, 

with the lyre and the sound of melody! 

 6  With trumpets and the sound of the horn 

make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! 

 7  Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 

the world and those who dwell in it! 

 8  Let the rivers clap their hands; 

let the hills sing for joy together 

 9  before the Lord, for he comes 

to judge the earth. 

  He will judge the world with righteousness, 

and the peoples with equity.

What an uplifting psalm, one that inspires praise for God has done ‘marvellous things’! What are the marvellous things you see that He has done? 

One of those marvellous, incredible things is that God has worked hard to bring salvation. God put in effort, and went through pain in order to allow you to enjoy salvation. It hurt Him and was difficult for Him to allow His son, Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice to abolish all sin. At the moment of Jesus death, for the first time in history, God and His son were separated. It was not an easy task to plan His son's death, but it was necessary for us to know forgiveness. God ‘worked salvation’ and suffered for our freedom. It was difficult, but God did it anyway. God wanted to achieve a way for all people to be made righteous. So, He planned it, put in effort and persevered even when it broke His heart. He wanted to ensure that there was a way for you to be free from sin and the associated guilt and shame. 

Yet, God’s salvation plan did not end there. He didn’t let salvation be a one time only thing. The pathway of salvation hasn’t withered, gone out of date, or been lost in decades past. God has ensured that all people of every generation, throughout history, and well into the future, can find their way to Him. For He has ‘made known his salvation’. The life, birth, death and resurrection of Jesus are not secret. There are historical eye witness accounts of it and people who follow God explain it. God’s salvation plan has been worked out and revealed for centuries. God is making sure that ‘All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God’.  He wants everyone to have the opportunity to know forgiveness and restoration through salvation, it is freely and universally available because of God’s love and faithfulness. God has worked salvation!

Interestingly, the same verse that tells us that salvation was worked out by God also says that salvation is ‘for him’, for God. Have you ever considered that? It is easy and natural for us to accept that salvation is for us as we get all the benefit of forgiveness, acceptance, being made new plus a restored relationship with God. It seems like it is all for us because of God’s great generosity and love. So what does salvation bring about for God? 

Well, God has always wanted a family. He started with Adam and Eve, and that was great for a while, but they sinned. Then time went on and Noah was saved out of the rest of the Earth, then we hear about Sodom and Gommorah. The pattern of humanities descent into sin and chaos is repeated throughout history. Yet so is the fact that God rescues, restores and favours a few. He notices those who follow Him the best they can despite the despair and dysfunction around them. So, He takes care of them and saves them even though they are not perfect. Why? because God wants a big family. He wants to be with people who know, love and appreciate Him, is that not what most of us want too? (No surprise there as we are made in His image!). This is why God has worked hard to bring salvation. He wanted to make a way for you to belong to Him so that you can enjoy His presence and He can enjoy yours. Salvation gives you the opportunity to know Him and approach Him as His son/daughter and that is what He has always wanted, this is why salvation is for Him.

What a reason to be joyful and appreciative of God’s kindness and great love! The whole of creation sings, claps and testifies of His goodness because He is righteous, fair and kind. How do you make your happiness known because your God loves you and has ‘worked salvation’ for you?

In God's shadow

Psalm 91:1–16 (ESV): 

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High 

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 

 2  I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, 

my God, in whom I trust.” 

 3  For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler 

and from the deadly pestilence. 

 4  He will cover you with his pinions, 

and under his wings you will find refuge; 

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 

 5  You will not fear the terror of the night, 

nor the arrow that flies by day, 

 6  nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, 

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 

 7  A thousand may fall at your side, 

ten thousand at your right hand, 

but it will not come near you. 

 8  You will only look with your eyes 

and see the recompense of the wicked. 

 9  Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— 

the Most High, who is my refuge— 

 10  no evil shall be allowed to befall you, 

no plague come near your tent. 

 11  For he will command his angels concerning you 

to guard you in all your ways. 

 12  On their hands they will bear you up, 

lest you strike your foot against a stone. 

 13  You will tread on the lion and the adder; 

the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. 

 14  “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; 

I will protect him, because he knows my name. 

 15  When he calls to me, I will answer him; 

I will be with him in trouble; 

I will rescue him and honour him. 

 16  With long life I will satisfy him 

and show him my salvation.” 

Can you imagine living in the shadow of God?!

If you live as a follower of God, then you, ‘abide in the shadow if the Almighty’ because He has invited you into His presence, and you have opted to walk with Him. God overshadows you. This means you are safe and protected and you know His presence wherever you tread. You are privileged to be so close. Due to your proximity to God, He can save you from the enemy’s traps and heal you from sickness and fear.  

However, you still see and experience life in this world. Even from this space of comfort and shade, of closeness and protection, you see fighting, disease, deeds of darkness and destruction. You are not oblivious or immune to the suffering and pain of this world even when you know whose presence you are in. You will see the pain others go through as they decide to live outside the shadow of God. The psalm tells us that though thousands around us may be afflicted and harmed, we will know God's protection and provision. Those that follow God have a different experience of life due to their proximity to the Almighty, but it doesn't mean that life doesn't hurt or isn't difficult at times. For those outside of the shadow of God are neighbours, friends and loved ones and seeing them suffer causes grief. You will see the results of unholy, unfaithful living outside the protection of the Father and you will feel sadness and pain. 

Even though you can be confident that you are protected and covered by God, you will witness those not in God’s kingdom suffering in a way you will not. For you can always know God's promise to you is this, 'Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15  When he calls to me, I will answer him'. You have the beautiful assurance that you will be delivered, protected and cared for because you are known to God and you know God. You are within His shadow, so you are within earshot and can reach out and hold His hand. Ultimately, your future is secure for wherever you are, God is present whether in this life or the next. You have eternal security, it is well for your soul, but you know many for who this is not true. 

As you live in the shadow of God, you can know and appreciate the security of your position and at the same time mourn the lack of faith of those around you, as you see them suffer there may be little you can do but prat. Yet remember the power and goodness of the One you are walking and talking with. It is not your responsibility to go and rescue those outside of the kingdom. You should not leave God’s shadow even for a moment to go and try to help or persuade them. The best help you can give is by taking advantage of your proximity to God. Keep walking in God's shadow so you can talk to Him on their behalf, and demonstrate the joy and peace of a life lived in the comfort and shelter of God’s love. You, as one close to God, are saved from experiencing the lonely isolation, fear, hopelessness and torment of living life outside of His protection and love. Even when disaster strikes and plagues come along, you can know that God will deliver you as you ‘hold fast to me in love’. So, the best aid you can give to others is maintaining your posture of proximity with Almighty, powerful, loving God. From His side you can see and hear what God is doing. By being close to God and knowing the joy and power of His shadow over you, you can show others the beauty of living in step with Him. When they see that disaster and disease do not affect you in the same way, that you have peace, assurance and contentment due to your relationship with God, i wonder how others will respond. When they are having a rough time and you let them know you are praying, i wonder what they will think when their situation changes. When you speak kindness and truth when others do not, when you come at challenges with a different motivation and mindset, i wonder what others will see. 

Your responsibility and duty for others is best served by investing in your relationship with God. Getting close to Him makes a positive impact on those around you. You have the invitation to dwell ‘in the shelter of the Most High’ and ‘abide in the shadow of the Almighty’. Is that where you are living? Being close to Him is good not only for you, but also for those around you. Who knows, by demonstrating your relationship with God, maybe others will also come to benefit from being in His shadow too.

'this one was born here'

 Psalm 87:1–7 (ESV):  

1  On the holy mount stands the city he founded; 

 2  the Lord loves the gates of Zion 

more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. 

 3  Glorious things of you are spoken, 

O city of God. Selah 

 4  Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; 

behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush— 

“This one was born there,” they say. 

 5  And of Zion it shall be said, 

“This one and that one were born in her”; 

for the Most High himself will establish her. 

 6  The Lord records as he registers the peoples, 

“This one was born there.” Selah 

 7  Singers and dancers alike say, 

“All my springs are in you.” 

This psalm tells of the significance and beauty of Jerusalem as not only favoured by God, but founded by Him. A place where there is great protection and access to those who enter, for the ‘Lord loves the gates of Zion’. This gives a sense of openness and welcome from God Himself, a place where people can come and enjoy the kingdom that God has founded and loves so anyone can find a place there. Who wouldn’t want to be in this city where ‘Glorious things’ are spoken?! It is not only a place God has founded, built and delights in, but is the place that God has chosen to dwell, ‘the city of God’.

Although this psalm refers to Jerusalem, the physical place that has known the favour of God through the ages, it is also a prophetic picture of the city of God to come where ALL people are welcome if they choose to enter into God’s presence. in verses 4-5 the non-Jewish surrounding nations are mentioned as knowing God and even being born there. Therefore we can see that this is a glimpse of what was to come through Jesus - all people, even if not physically of the nation of Israel, can be born again into the kingdom of God. What a promise! Any person that believes and follows God is born into His kingdom, a place of knowing and dwelling with God. 

The phrase ‘this one was born here’ is repeated in this short psalm to demonstrate the call, connection and establishment of each person who is born into God’s kingdom. You do not need to be Jewish, from Israel or even have been to Jerusalem to be recorded as one who knows God and has been born into His kingdom. Every person from every nation has that opportunity no matter what. God himself establishes each believer in His family (v5), He even ‘records as he registers the peoples’. Just as seriously and solemnly as a child’s earthly birth is recorded in legal documents, so too does God do so for all who choose to enter His kingdom. He changes their citizenship and their birth right as they decide to belong to the city of God. 

Yet this sense of belonging doesn't stop there, but God also counts believers as, ‘those that know me’. The Hebrew word in v4 translated as ‘know’ actually means to have intimate knowledge, experience, and understanding of. God has allowed himself to be revealed in such a way through Jesus and the Holy Spirit that you and i, and every other individual on Earth can have this depth of understanding of who God is. You can know Him intimately as He has invited you into the gates of His dwelling place - you can literally get to know Him as you get up each morning, experience God throughout your day and can understand something of His glorious might, love and creativity! That is pretty epic! You get to understand things about God that those outside the kingdom do not because you live with Him, in His presence and in His home. Maybe you have an assurance, certainty, peace in situations that others don’t because you understand the goodness and love of God. How privileged are we who are ‘born there’! 

The gates are open for you to enter and enjoy the presence of God if you choose to. You can be adopted into God’s family, legally made His own through accepting the truth that Jesus died for your sins. Are you counted as one who has been 'born there'?

Are you as close as the birds?

Psalm 84:1–12 (ESV): 

1  How lovely is your dwelling place, 

O Lord of hosts! 

 2  My soul longs, yes, faints 

for the courts of the Lord; 

  my heart and flesh sing for joy 

to the living God. 

 3  Even the sparrow finds a home, 

and the swallow a nest for herself, 

where she may lay her young, 

  at your altars, O Lord of hosts, 

my King and my God. 

 4  Blessed are those who dwell in your house, 

ever singing your praise! Selah 

 5  Blessed are those whose strength is in you, 

in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 

 6  As they go through the Valley of Baca 

they make it a place of springs; 

the early rain also covers it with pools. 

 7  They go from strength to strength; 

each one appears before God in Zion. 

 8  O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; 

give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah 

 9  Behold our shield, O God; 

look on the face of your anointed! 

 10  For a day in your courts is better 

than a thousand elsewhere. 

  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God 

than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 

 11  For the Lord God is a sun and shield; 

the Lord bestows favour and honour. 

  No good thing does he withhold 

from those who walk uprightly. 

 12  O Lord of hosts, 

blessed is the one who trusts in you! 

Even the birds are loved, protected and cared for by God and can make their way as close to God as to His courts and altar. These are inner, intimate spaces and the birds have freedom of access as well as proximity to God. Yet these creatures have no understanding of the significance or privilege it is to be able to enter the temple let alone get so close! Yet they still have permission to enter and abide there. 

As people, those made in His image, God invites us to have the same boldness and freedom to get as close to Him as the birds can. You can not only approach the altar; the place of sacrifice, forgiveness, celebration and gratitude, but you can abide there. You can live from a place of comfort and safety knowing that all your sins are forgiven. They are all dealt with by Almighty God’s sacrifice of His son. You have permission to enter God’s dwelling place and you can get as close as you like, just ike the birds. You can be one of the blessed who not only visit but, ‘dwell in your house, ever singing your praise’! You can live from a place of acknowledging and resting in the sacrifice of Jesus, the freedom, love, security and forgiveness this brings. The power of knowing and dwelling in the truth that Jesus has made a way for you to enter into God’s presence, not just as a one off, but that you can even live in His presence forever, is something that deserves celebrating every day. This truth never changes, and God wishes you to feel welcome and as free as the birds; to come, live and increase in His presence. Come and make your ‘nest’ in the midst of God’s dwelling place, and build your family on the altar for it is a place of protection, certainty and joy. The sacrifice of Jesus provides you with hope and forgiveness, love, security and comfort, what more could you want than the promise of proximity to God for you and your family?

This psalm also talks about the courts of the temple which is the place of community. This is a chance to gather with others, listen to teaching and participate in worship. If you are living acknowledging and appreciating the presence of God in your life, you also have the freedom and the privilege of celebrating, worshipping and gathering with a range of other believers. Not only is it good for you to have an intimate relationship with God as at the altar, but you are also free to build relationships with other believers who learn and teach the scriptures, encourage and provide for one another, eat, sing, praise, pray, play and talk to each other! The courts are as accessible to the birds as the altar, and so you have the opportunity to participate in community. God has given you a home, and He has given you a family of believers with whom you can grow and enjoy life with.

What a joyful privilege it is to be welcomed and free to explore God’s own home like the birds - exploring and resting in His presence. Nowhere else could be as safe, comforting or exciting as that. ‘the Lord bestows favour and honour. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly’. God will take care of you when you come to Him, you are safe with Him and you won’t lack good things when you live your life close to Him. You cannot know His favour, honour, protection, love or greatness from a distance - it is from the altar and the courts - in His dwelling place that you experience these things in great measure. How close are you to God? and His people? 

‘For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.’

Remember

Psalm 78:35–72 (ESV): 

35  They remembered that God was their rock, 

the Most High God their redeemer. 

 36  But they flattered him with their mouths; 

they lied to him with their tongues. 

 37  Their heart was not steadfast toward him; 

they were not faithful to his covenant. 

 38  Yet he, being compassionate, 

atoned for their iniquity 

and did not destroy them; 

  he restrained his anger often 

and did not stir up all his wrath. 

 39  He remembered that they were but flesh, 

a wind that passes and comes not again. 

 40  How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness 

and grieved him in the desert! 

 41  They tested God again and again 

and provoked the Holy One of Israel. 

 42  They did not remember his power 

or the day when he redeemed them from the foe, 

 43  when he performed his signs in Egypt 

and his marvels in the fields of Zoan. 

 44  He turned their rivers to blood, 

so that they could not drink of their streams. 

 45  He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, 

and frogs, which destroyed them. 

 46  He gave their crops to the destroying locust 

and the fruit of their labor to the locust. 

 47  He destroyed their vines with hail 

and their sycamores with frost. 

 48  He gave over their cattle to the hail 

and their flocks to thunderbolts. 

 49  He let loose on them his burning anger, 

wrath, indignation, and distress, 

a company of destroying angels. 

 50  He made a path for his anger; 

he did not spare them from death, 

but gave their lives over to the plague. 

 51  He struck down every firstborn in Egypt, 

the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham. 

 52  Then he led out his people like sheep 

and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 

 53  He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, 

but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 

 54  And he brought them to his holy land, 

to the mountain which his right hand had won. 

 55  He drove out nations before them; 

he apportioned them for a possession 

and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. 

 56  Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God 

and did not keep his testimonies, 

 57  but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers; 

they twisted like a deceitful bow. 

 58  For they provoked him to anger with their high places; 

they moved him to jealousy with their idols. 

 59  When God heard, he was full of wrath, 

and he utterly rejected Israel. 

 60  He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, 

the tent where he dwelt among mankind, 

 61  and delivered his power to captivity, 

his glory to the hand of the foe. 

 62  He gave his people over to the sword 

and vented his wrath on his heritage. 

 63  Fire devoured their young men, 

and their young women had no marriage song. 

 64  Their priests fell by the sword, 

and their widows made no lamentation. 

 65  Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, 

like a strong man shouting because of wine. 

 66  And he put his adversaries to rout; 

he put them to everlasting shame. 

 67  He rejected the tent of Joseph; 

he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, 

 68  but he chose the tribe of Judah, 

Mount Zion, which he loves. 

 69  He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, 

like the earth, which he has founded forever. 

 70  He chose David his servant 

and took him from the sheepfolds; 

 71  from following the nursing ewes he brought him 

to shepherd Jacob his people, 

Israel his inheritance. 

 72  With upright heart he shepherded them 

and guided them with his skilful hand. 

Humanity is fickle. God is not.

That is what these verses show - People’s ideas, behaviours, views and values change. Culture adapts and tells itself it is progressive, yet, ‘What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun’ (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The reality is, your ideas, lifestyle and choices are nothing that the world hasn’t already seen. People have been getting it right and getting it wrong for millennia. Humanity changes their values and beliefs based on what suits them at the time. This has been shown throughout history including in the Biblical historical accounts as summarised in this psalm. There have been times when God is appreciated and remembered then centuries where he has been forgotten and ignored. Each generation is the same, they have times when they follow their forefathers transgressions, and they have times when they consider God. 

Asaph is reminding the people that even God’s very own, selected and set apart people, make choices to live with Him or without Him (v35-37). Every generation has this same fundamental issue - choosing to live God’s way or their own. Even the people who would say they believe in God, through disobedience and ingratitude go astray. Why? Because, ‘They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe.’ You end up far from God when you forget. 

It is easy to do as life goes on and different events happen, the memories of victory, breakthrough, healing and miracles wane as everyday life continues. People forget how awesome God is and do not remind themselves of His redemption, great love and incredible works. Instead, just getting on with life and having other things to remember can make remembering God's greatness and marvellous works less of a priority. What do you remember God doing? What prayers have you had answered? How have you seen God move and breakthrough in this current time or in the past? Make the effort to remember. It will build your faith, expectations and prayer life as well as your joy in your current pattern of life. Plus if you do not remember, it is easy to forget and you can easily be led into astray. Into ways and practices that lead you away from God, into sin and disobedience. 

The Israelites in the situations described in this psalm did not just wake up one day and decide to go away from God. It was a gradual process, maybe from not reading The Word, not praying as much, not sharing testimonies, not gathering together to worship, basically allowing other things to take priority in life other than God. It is easy to gradually slide away from God and get distracted when you do not set your mind to remember His goodness. Not remembering means you forget how great God really is and you fail to see the love, power and salvation available to you. This is what happened with the Israelites. Time and again they failed to remember which resulted in them doing what they wanted, getting involved with the cultural practices of others, sinning. They walked away from God which meant they incurred the wrath of God (v40, 49-50, 58-59) and had to experience life without His protection  

This is what can happen when you fail to remember. When you forget the enormous and gracious things God has done, you lose focus and end up gradually moving away from honouring and loving God in the way you live your life. So, God lets you get on with it. God loves you so much He lets you choose how to live your life, He wants your love, faithfulness and obedience, but He lets you make the choice. God also loves you so much that He gives you access to many different people's experiences of living life both with and without Him so that you know what is best for you. He has made it clear that if you opt to live life dishonouring Him then this means you'll be without His love and protection. 

Alternatively you can live a life set on remembering who God is and His works. This psalm not only shows the result of forgetting God's greatness, but also shows God’s forgiving nature. Time and again He welcomes the people of Israel back when they turn to Him. God forgives sin and restores people and nations when they approach Him. His faithfulness is secure and reliable.This psalm shows how God reconciles the Israelites to Himself again and again. He can do that for you too. When you repent, seek His forgiveness and recognise that He is, The Most High'.  He will restore you, love you and protect you. 

So, set your mind to honour and obey Him and 'forget not all His benefits' (Psalm 103:2)

God is near

 Psalm 75:1–10 (ESV):  

1  We give thanks to you, O God; 

we give thanks, for your name is near. 

We recount your wondrous deeds. 

2  “At the set time that I appoint 

I will judge with equity. 

3  When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, 

it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah 

4  I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ 

and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn; 

5  do not lift up your horn on high, 

or speak with haughty neck.’ ” 

6  For not from the east or from the west 

and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, 

7  but it is God who executes judgment, 

putting down one and lifting up another. 

8  For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup 

with foaming wine, well mixed, 

and he pours out from it, 

and all the wicked of the earth 

shall drain it down to the dregs. 

9  But I will declare it forever; 

I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 

10  All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, 

but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up. 

What a great way to open a psalm, or even your prayers - to acknowledge and appreciate that God is near. You can utter His name and know His presence. What an incredible reassurance it is to recognise and appreciate God’s proximity. God is near. He is close to you right now, how wonderful! As you realise God’s closeness, can you like Asaph begin to recount God's 'wondrous deeds’? God has done some fantastic things, do you ever stop to consider them and appreciate Him for them? Recounting God’s fantastic works should be easy as there are so many but are you good at crediting God for the great and marvellous things He has done? Asaph says, ‘we recount your wondrous deeds’, there is a communal aspect to sharing what God has done (we). No matter how big or small the issue, do you share your stories of God’s magnificence in your life? Can you imagine the testimony that would be, not only to the church, but the community if we all did that? Surely you have a wonderful story of wonder to that tells about God's goodness - have you shared it with anyone recently?

God is worthy of gratitude no matter what. He has still done incredible things even when life is tough and, ‘the earth totters and all its inhabitants’. God is still just as close and magnificent in those times. Plus He is more solid, secure and trustworthy than those around you and even the solid ground that you stand on! For, ‘when the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars’. God is the strength and power that keeps things going and holds it all together. The Earth and your life will have times when it looks like they are shaky and falling apart, yet you can be assured that God is in control and will hold it all together. When the Earth shudders and disasters happen you can feel shaken, however you can also be sure that God is holding steady.

So, consider; what are you relying on in your life? What do you trust in and lean on to give you strength? It is only God that remains strong and secure throughout all circumstances and generations. He is the One who has already endured all things, do not build your life on or rely on anything lesser than Him. Those who live dishonouring God or in ignorance of His presence are living without His power, love, majesty and strength, are you?

Those who choose to live without God do not have Him holding things steady and do not get to enjoy His wondrous deeds or His glorious presence. Instead they are consumed with themselves and become arrogant, filled up with pride, boastful and drunk (v4-8). Living without God means living without stability, love and peace. So people try to live for something else and make themselves seem important. They try to outdo one another and be better because they are trying to impress themselves and other people. At times it works and they seem to be ‘lifted up’ having gained respect, honour and praise from people. Yet their favour can quickly change and those admired one moment can be despised the next. A life like that does not know stability, unconditional love or peace. Whose approval are you living for? Are you living to impress those around you, vying for acceptance, or are you living a life honouring God and concerned about what He thinks of you?

Not only will the ‘wicked’ who live without God become proud, boastful, resentful and intoxicated, but the promise in this psalm is that they will also be ‘cut off’. This is not without God trying to help them and intervene, verses 4-5 show that God calls to those disregarding Him and acting wickedly - He invites them to live different, but they refuse. One day it will be too late for them to do any different as God ‘executes judgement’. He promises that, ‘the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.’ All people will be judged, the wicked and the righteous (those that live following God). One set will be ‘lifted up’, the others ‘cut down’. Which fate will you receive? For God is close and He is worthy of great gratitude and love, are you living your life acknowledging and appreciating His presence in the World and your life?

worshipping in the worst times

Psalm 71:1–8 (ESV): 

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; 

let me never be put to shame! 

2  In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; 

incline your ear to me, and save me! 

3  Be to me a rock of refuge, 

to which I may continually come; 

you have given the command to save me, 

for you are my rock and my fortress. 

4  Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, 

from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man. 

5  For you, O Lord, are my hope, 

my trust, O Lord, from my youth. 

6  Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; 

you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. 

My praise is continually of you. 

7  I have been as a portent to many, 

but you are my strong refuge. 

8  My mouth is filled with your praise, 

and with your glory all the day. 

9  Do not cast me off in the time of old age; 

forsake me not when my strength is spent. 

10  For my enemies speak concerning me; 

those who watch for my life consult together 

11  and say, “God has forsaken him; 

pursue and seize him, 

for there is none to deliver him.” 

12  O God, be not far from me; 

O my God, make haste to help me! 

13  May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; 

with scorn and disgrace may they be covered 

who seek my hurt. 

14  But I will hope continually 

and will praise you yet more and more. 

15  My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, 

of your deeds of salvation all the day, 

for their number is past my knowledge. 

16  With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; 

I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. 

17  O God, from my youth you have taught me, 

and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 

18  So even to old age and grey hairs, 

O God, do not forsake me, 

until I proclaim your might to another generation, 

your power to all those to come. 

19  Your righteousness, O God, 

reaches the high heavens. 

You who have done great things, 

O God, who is like you? 

20  You who have made me see many troubles and calamities 

will revive me again; 

from the depths of the earth 

you will bring me up again. 

21  You will increase my greatness 

and comfort me again. 

22  I will also praise you with the harp 

for your faithfulness, O my God; 

I will sing praises to you with the lyre, 

O Holy One of Israel. 

23  My lips will shout for joy, 

when I sing praises to you; 

my soul also, which you have redeemed. 

24  And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, 

for they have been put to shame and disappointed 

who sought to do me hurt. 

Although this psalm does not credit a particular person as the author, both psalm 70 and 71 seem to be similar in content. They both tell of a time that is troubled due to the persecution of others and the writers are asking God to intervene and rescue. When I first read this I thought it was a follow-on psalm from the previous one, however we do not know if David is the writer even though the themes and expressions are similar. As we consider the book of Psalms, there are many with a similar theme; of difficulty, petitioning God and trusting Him. So, whether or not this is written by David doesn’t really matter, as it just shows that we can all have similar struggles, and we need help to overcome them. People of the past as well as the present have encountered hardship and the psalms helpfully show us how to pray through it, trust God in it and worship throughout. 

This psalm then, although about a tough time, focuses on the ‘Holy One of Israel’. The author is continually reminding themselves that they are coming to a loving, mighty God. There is worship from beginning to end.  Most of the verses mention something great about God, so this cry for help and petition is enwrapped in praise - how incredible! The psalmist has come to God for rescue and relief and considers that God is; a refuge, One who does not put to shame, a listener, rock, always available, fortress, rescuer, hope, trust, One you can lean on, One who brings life, strong, glorious, close, a helper, righteous, mighty, bringer of salvation, doer of wondrous deeds, teacher, constant, powerful, reviver, lifter, empowering, comforter, Holy, redeemer. That is a lot of recognition of who God is for someone who is in trouble.When life is difficult and despairing do you pray like that? 

My daughter read something recently that said 'if you don't feel like praying, pray harder, if you don't feel like worshipping, worship harder.' This seems to be what this psalmist does. He petitions and praises God whilst persevering through this trouble. The writer acknowledges God’s active presence from even before he was born up til now, their old age (v17-18), and they know God’s love, comfort and greatness hasn’t finished yet. The same is true for you. No matter your age or experience, God desires to show you His love, comfort and greatness. God has not finished working in your life either.

Thanking and praising God in the midst of hardship takes strength, and doing so builds strength, resilience and faith. It is about looking upwards to God and His kingdom rather than looking around and inward at the trouble, persecution and demoralising activities that can surround you. So, do not focus on the things that get you down and that seem to defeat you. Acknowledge them and put them into prayer, like this psalmist does, so that you are putting them into the hands of the One who can do something about it! 

This psalmist says, ‘my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long’. Is that how you tackle your problems? By remembering God and how awesome He is, thinking about His amazing deeds? Do you make an effort to remind yourself, and others, of where your help comes from? Take inspiration from this person who has lived a life of faith - Practice gratitude when life is troublesome, and praise God through every difficulty. For trouble should not diminish your understanding of the previous works of God, in fact, they should inspire you with the great things God can do now! Hold onto the truth of who God is, His love for you and His strength, then let your ‘lips shout for joy’!

what do you do when you are rejected and alone?

 Can you relate to feeling as David did in this psalm?

Psalm 69:1–36 (ESV):   

Save me, O God! 

For the waters have come up to my neck. 

2  I sink in deep mire, 

where there is no foothold; 

I have come into deep waters, 

and the flood sweeps over me. 

3  I am weary with my crying out; 

my throat is parched. 

My eyes grow dim 

with waiting for my God. 

4  More in number than the hairs of my head 

are those who hate me without cause; 

mighty are those who would destroy me, 

those who attack me with lies. 

What I did not steal 

must I now restore? 

5  O God, you know my folly; 

the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. 

6  Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, 

O Lord God of hosts; 

let not those who seek you be brought to dishonour through me, 

O God of Israel. 

7  For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, 

that dishonour has covered my face. 

8  I have become a stranger to my brothers, 

an alien to my mother’s sons. 

9  For zeal for your house has consumed me, 

and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. 

10  When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, 

it became my reproach. 

11  When I made sackcloth my clothing, 

I became a byword to them. 

12  I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, 

and the drunkards make songs about me. 

13  But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. 

At an acceptable time, O God, 

in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. 

14  Deliver me 

from sinking in the mire; 

let me be delivered from my enemies 

and from the deep waters. 

15  Let not the flood sweep over me, 

or the deep swallow me up, 

or the pit close its mouth over me. 

16  Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; 

according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. 

17  Hide not your face from your servant, 

for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. 

18  Draw near to my soul, redeem me; 

ransom me because of my enemies! 

19  You know my reproach, 

and my shame and my dishonour; 

my foes are all known to you. 

20  Reproaches have broken my heart, 

so that I am in despair. 

I looked for pity, but there was none, 

and for comforters, but I found none. 

21  They gave me poison for food, 

and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink. 

22  Let their own table before them become a snare; 

and when they are at peace, let it become a trap. 

23  Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see, 

and make their loins tremble continually. 

24  Pour out your indignation upon them, 

and let your burning anger overtake them. 

25  May their camp be a desolation; 

let no one dwell in their tents. 

26  For they persecute him whom you have struck down, 

and they recount the pain of those you have wounded. 

27  Add to them punishment upon punishment; 

may they have no acquittal from you. 

28  Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; 

let them not be enrolled among the righteous. 

29  But I am afflicted and in pain; 

let your salvation, O God, set me on high! 

30  I will praise the name of God with a song; 

I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 

31  This will please the Lord more than an ox 

or a bull with horns and hoofs. 

32  When the humble see it they will be glad; 

you who seek God, let your hearts revive. 

33  For the Lord hears the needy 

and does not despise his own people who are prisoners. 

34  Let heaven and earth praise him, 

the seas and everything that moves in them. 

35  For God will save Zion 

and build up the cities of Judah, 

and people shall dwell there and possess it; 

36  the offspring of his servants shall inherit it, 

and those who love his name shall dwell in it. 

David feels like he is sinking, that God isn’t doing anything. He is worn out with emotional distress and hoarse with crying out to God about it. Yet none of this is because he has done anything wrong. He admits that he has messed up before (v19), yet this situation with his friends and family rejecting him is nothing to do with any error or sin on his side, but because of his wholehearted commitment to God (v9). Can you imagine that? 

Many people in the world can, we hear accounts about those who are persecuted for their faith. There are traumatic stories of imprisonment, restriction and death threats. People in other nations undergo these things because of their love for God and for living life God’s way. Even in our country I have heard of stories of christians making a right stand against an issue resulting in being rejected, disciplined, businesses in trouble, taken to court. All for doing things God’s way. I bet they felt something of what David felt. Feeling like they are in too deep, drowning, rejected, attacked. I have not experienced this level of persecution, yet I found it hard enough when I felt an outcast at work due to the faith I have. It was horrible, yet that was mild compared to level of persecution that David, and others have been through. The reality is, as people of God, we should expect some kind of push back, rejection and trouble. There is an enemy in the world that does not want to see God’s kingdom come, or His people succeed, and so Satan will do everything he can to cause suffering and difficulty. Are you prepared to suffer for your faith, and will you endure it?

David, even though he was taunted and rejected by many even his own family, was prepared to go through it because of his love for God. He was sold out for God and he suffered ridicule and rejection because of it, he acknowledged that these things, ‘have broken my heart, so that I am in despair’. David felt broken by the words and actions of others. David grieved for the lost relationships and felt like he was being engulfed in misery, drowning in a sea of grief because of the extent of his heartache. He was rejected and abandoned as those he loved and relied upon turned away from him, rejected and ridiculed him. He suffered. There was a great emotional response because he cared for these people, yet he knew his words and behaviour would not change because he loved God more. No wonder David felt so distraught, he knew the cause of the tension between himself and others was his love for God, and he couldn't change that, so he had to endure heartache and the hardship. When the faith you have effects the relationships you have developed, this will really test your commitment to God. You will have to choose between God and those you care about and it will lead to despair, heartbreak and loneliness, what will you do when you encounter such difficulties?

David cried out to God, and didn't stop crying out to Him! We can hear how David suffered, and we can look at our Saviour Jesus to see how he too suffered rejection, heartbreak, loneliness and pain because of loving and obeying God. Yet both David and Jesus continued to pursue God. They did not turn back, they asked for relief, for change, for help, but they chose to continue to suffer because they knew God is greater. They understood that His love, protection, guidance, comfort and strength are worth suffering for. They also knew that these things are available even in the midst of the turmoil. They spoke to God and trusted Him to help them through. After all, if everyone else has rejected you, who is left to help, encourage and strengthen you? 

David pours out his heart to God, ‘my prayer is to you, O Lord’. He depended on no-one else for salvation, rescue or relief. David knew who could save him from, ‘sinking in the mire’. So he held onto this hope, this faith that God’s ‘steadfast love is good’. That was enough for him to endure and have hope for a new day. Is that enough for you? 

Only God can sustain and protect you from drowning in despair and save you from the trial of rejection and hopelessness. His love is good and steadfast, and He supports and saves those He loves, so keep going and copy David. Allow yourself to feel the pain of radical obedience, ask God for help, and continue to worship. His love will carry you through every circumstance no matter how bitter or joyful. Rely on Him to, ‘draw near to my soul, redeem me’ and continue, no matter what to, ‘praise the name of God’. ‘For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.’ Trust in God, for man may reject you, but God will not and He will revive your heart (v32).

Bless our God, O peoples

 Psalm 66:1–20 (ESV):  

1  Shout for joy to God, all the earth; 

2  sing the glory of his name; 

give to him glorious praise! 

3  Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! 

So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. 

4  All the earth worships you 

and sings praises to you; 

they sing praises to your name.” Selah 

5  Come and see what God has done: 

he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. 

6  He turned the sea into dry land; 

they passed through the river on foot. 

There did we rejoice in him, 

7  who rules by his might forever, 

whose eyes keep watch on the nations— 

let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah 

8  Bless our God, O peoples; 

let the sound of his praise be heard, 

9  who has kept our soul among the living 

and has not let our feet slip. 

10  For you, O God, have tested us; 

you have tried us as silver is tried. 

11  You brought us into the net; 

you laid a crushing burden on our backs; 

12  you let men ride over our heads; 

we went through fire and through water; 

yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance. 

13  I will come into your house with burnt offerings; 

I will perform my vows to you, 

14  that which my lips uttered 

and my mouth promised when I was in trouble. 

15  I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals, 

with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; 

I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah 

16  Come and hear, all you who fear God, 

and I will tell what he has done for my soul. 

17  I cried to him with my mouth, 

and high praise was on my tongue. 

18  If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, 

the Lord would not have listened. 

19  But truly God has listened; 

he has attended to the voice of my prayer. 

20  Blessed be God, 

because he has not rejected my prayer 

or removed his steadfast love from me! 

This psalm is an outpouring of praise, gratitude and love for God, remembering the things of the past and acknowledging God’s power, steadfast love and commitment. It is a recollection of the mightiness of God, and His commitment to His people. I like this psalm because it encourages all of us to recall the victories of the past, to share those testimonies and remind one another of what God has done. This is so important as it helps us to remember the character and nature of God and develops hope, faith and joy in us. No matter the season of life you're in, this psalm and these reflections in your own life will do you good.

Maybe, at the time this psalm was written, the nation of Israel was a bit down, struggling, bored or a bit fed up, or maybe they were corporately celebrating (v1-12) and personally grateful for what had happened. Whatever the mood of the nation, or of your town or household, this psalm inspires, and encourages us to think about how lives have been impacted by the work of God. It is a clear celebration and reminder that, ’he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.’ God has not only been good to you, He has performed 'awesome deeds' in your life, it is good to remember and share about those.

Compared to the works of humans, no matter how amazing and inspiring they can be, God’s deeds are greater. He has invented the universe, given power to the wind, rain, sun and waves, He has caused people to walk on and through water, created animals and given them the power to speak, defeated untold enemies and broken down walls. These are just a handful of His mighty works from the Bible. You could list many more, plus those from your own experience. In my life, to list a few, I have seen; legs grow, backs healed, I have been healed of asthma, difficult situations have been broken, lives transformed, timely and unexpected financial provision, multiplication of food - that’s just from the top of my head, if I really thought about it I wonder how many more I could add to the list! What have you witnessed God do?

This psalm encourages us to think about the awesome deeds of God, because there are a lot, and sometimes we do not pause to consider them. If we did, we would be inspired and full of gratitude at being reminded of His greatness. Surely, life would seem happier and more hopeful if we paused to consider the greatness of God and continually reminded ourselves of God’s awesome deeds.  For, 'truly God has listened' and, 'he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!'. Have you ever had a prayer answered? Known His provision and love? 

Once you see and recall the great works of God, David tells says that your response for appreciating the wonderful works of our mighty God should be to, ‘Bless our God..... let the sound of his praise be heard’. So, go ahead, bless God, tell Him how grateful you are for the things He has brought about and how wonderful He is. No matter the situation of life you are in, what is going on right now or how you are feeling - You should praise God today. His praise should be heard from your lips for the things of old, as well as the mercies and joys of today and promises of tomorrow. God has done great things, and you know it, so today let your joy increase by remembering the love, mercy, and awesome deeds of our God!

the inward mind and heart of a man are deep

 Psalm 64:1–10 (ESV):  

1  Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; 

preserve my life from dread of the enemy. 

2  Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, 

from the throng of evildoers, 

3  who whet their tongues like swords, 

who aim bitter words like arrows, 

4  shooting from ambush at the blameless, 

shooting at him suddenly and without fear. 

5  They hold fast to their evil purpose; 

they talk of laying snares secretly, 

thinking, “Who can see them?” 

6  They search out injustice, 

saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.” 

For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep. 

7  But God shoots his arrow at them; 

they are wounded suddenly. 

8  They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; 

all who see them will wag their heads. 

9  Then all mankind fears; 

they tell what God has brought about 

and ponder what he has done. 

10  Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord 

and take refuge in him! 

Let all the upright in heart exult! 

Words can easily entangle and lead us down a path we never really intended on going down. This psalm can remind us how the words of deception, rumours and lies spread, and build into becoming swords, arrows and snares. The little quips and comments grow to transform people into enemies, this is what happened to David. It is bad enough having one person lying about you, saying horrible things and plotting against you, but David had a ‘throng of evildoers’ against him. How did that happen? These enemies and their schemes all started somewhere. There was one moment when something was done or said that has taken over and spiralled. One disagreement, angry word, disappointment, error, jealousy or miscommunication has led to people becoming disgruntled, conniving enemies. It may not even have been anything to do with what David has done or said. People can become our enemies for many reasons. Yet, just because someone is railing against you, doesn’t mean you should do the same. David recognised this. It is important, even when people are horrible to you, to deal with them well - To live above reproach. David did not; shout things back, sneak around after them, try to catch them out or even confront and fight them. He could have done - he was a powerful, mighty king! Even though he could have fought, and won, he did not take matters into his own hands. He could have permanently got rid of these troublesome, lying, deceitful, wicked plotters who attacked him. Instead, David preferred God's way. He talked to God about it and trusted in His eventual salvation, knowing that God’s way is better. David did not repay evil for evil, but he patiently waited for God to start shooting His arrows instead of shooting his own. For David knew that God would transform the situation and cause these enemies to be on the run and descend into ruin because they are attacking God’s man. God preserves and fights for those who love Him, so David was assured that he would not only be rescued by God from this situation, but that it would also be for the benefit other believers too. As they would see God come through and rejoice! (V10). What is your response when people behave like enemies towards you?

It is important as mentioned above, to ensure that you are living above reproach in every circumstance. To make sure that even if people treat you badly, you do not do the same to them. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:39, "I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”. Jesus' advice - Do not try to squash the behaviour of those acting badly, but let them do it! By that you are showing love and mercy like God does to us. Do not allow yourself to retaliate or become angry, for that is not godliness and you will just end up behaving the same way as those against you and become wicked yourself. Consider the disciples in the book of Acts, they undergo terrible treatment, but do not react in their own strength. They endure torture and imprisonment and glorify and trust in God through it. They did not retaliate, fight or argue back. Instead they imitated their saviour in their loving and merciful responses to those who became their enemies. They are great examples of living a painful, but dedicated life to God. They lived their life fully for Him and that meant they didn’t always behave in the way they wanted to. The disciples understood that Jesus had shown that the battle is not really theirs, that even the enemies are not fighting you, but the godliness that is within. They also realised that any argument or physical fight is not going to change the heart or mindset of the wicked. Only the love and mercy of God can do that. Do you allow this to be the case when you have enemies? Or do you roll your sleeves up ready for a fight?

David also gives us an insight in this psalm that people have many reasons for doing things as, ‘The inward mind and heart of a man are deep’. David has realised that all people have; fears, hurts, joys and hopes which combine to influence their behaviour. David recognises that there are many reasons why someone will act in a certain way because they are ‘deep’. Some get carried away, follow others, respond out of heartache, try to provide security - there are many explanations of why people behave as they do because we are complex creatures. Friends and enemies have reasons to be such, and predominantly it is not because of you. It is because of the deep things that are going on inside of them. The behaviour and decisions a person makes are often not due to one experience or one comment, but there are many thoughts, values and experiences that lead to it. Those who live righteously and those who live wickedly choose to do so as a result of the internal processing of many ideas, ideals, experiences and goals. The things that mould a person into who they become are many and complicated, and they impact how they treat others. 

When you are on the receiving end of poor behaviour or wickedness, it is easy to consider the person or people involved as wicked. Yet you do not know the inner depths of each person for, ‘The inward mind and heart of a man are deep’. You do not know that they have been through, or why they are acting as they are. Sometimes these people may even seem quite nice and honourable, as they may act wickedly towards you, but they also can seem righteous or good at times! (v5-6) People are complex creatures, we all are. We all have different motivations and reasons for being like we are. We can even seem nice to some and horrid to others. David has noticed how even those plotting evil diligently against him, ‘search out injustice’. Yet they themselves are unjust in their words and actions towards him. It is a conundrum, but not one that any of us can solve by worrying about it. Instead, David does the only thing he can - talks to God about it - the One who knows the innermost being of every man and woman, and he trusts Him to sort it out. David is certain God will bring about the right course of action, and he will wait for it. For now, until his rescue comes, David will take refuge in speaking with God, trusting in His protection, for the time will come when ‘God shoots his arrows’ at these evildoers, and the people of God will, ‘rejoice in the Lord’ for the victory God has brought about. So instead of preparing to fight, why not take guidance from David, who did not roll up his sleeves and prepare for a battle when people plotted against him, but talked to God, carried on his everyday life and waited and trusted in the love and mercy of God to bring salvation and reason for all of God's people to rejoice?

 

Is God in your everyday every day?

 Psalm 61:1–8 (ESV):  

1  Hear my cry, O God, 

listen to my prayer; 

2  from the end of the earth I call to you 

when my heart is faint. 

Lead me to the rock 

that is higher than I, 

3  for you have been my refuge, 

a strong tower against the enemy. 

4  Let me dwell in your tent forever! 

Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah 

5  For you, O God, have heard my vows; 

you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 

6  Prolong the life of the king; 

may his years endure to all generations! 

7  May he be enthroned forever before God; 

appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! 

8  So will I ever sing praises to your name, 

as I perform my vows day after day. 

This psalm sounds like the writer, David, is worn out. A petition to be heard by the almighty God, and to hear a response, from a tired and worn out mind. I wonder if this is why it is initially written in quite short lines. It reminds me of someone running, short of breath, exhaling quick sentences as they jog along. 

In the midst of rushing around, and in the busy-ness of life, you can still talk to God. It may be short, snippets of words and sentences, but God is still there to hear them and to demonstrate care to you. David knew that. So, he prayed in every and any situation. He prayed when life was good and bountiful, when it was terrifying, when he was sick, resting, and rushing. Your conversations with God may change as life changes, but do you still make a point of including God as things adapt and change? Do you invite God into your everyday, every day?

Even in the rushing and the worry, God is a ‘refuge’ and ‘strong tower’, but you won’t get to experience that if you don’t look out for Him and speak to Him. David was secure in his relationship with God because he worked at it. He spent time with God, he waited for Him and he intentionally sought Him out and spoke with Him even when he could have been distracted and too busy. David intentionally made God part of his everyday every day. He spoke to God on the run, in the cave as well as whilst resting on his bed and amongst other believers. David spoke to God whenever he could because he valued the relationship, and he knew God cares about, and can have impact on every area of his life. 

David not only spoke with God, but kept his word before God as he understood the importance of taking his responsibility in the relationship. David says he will, ‘perform my vows day after day’. He recognised the importance that he take ownership for the relationship he had with God as he knew it was a two way thing. God is not just there whenever David wants Him to be, but David also has to work at keeping the relationship strong, and that includes keeping his promises. So whatever David promised God he would do, he did, every day. David did his best to please God and to obey Him, he understood that his response to God was as important as God’s response to him. David’s everyday life reflected the faith he had because he not only talked to, and about God, but his behaviour and decisions reflected the faith he had. He kept his promises to God and vowed to do better. He included God in every part of his everyday life. Do you? Do you make and keep your promises? 

Finally, in this psalm we see David’s humility before the throne of God. Even though David knows what it is like to be a king, he is not The King, and so he subjects his authority, influence, power and responsibility to God. He asks God to give him a long life, and he also requests that God allows His, ‘steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him’. David knows he can do well if he has the love and faithfulness of God tangibly in his life. He understood that the best king is not one who wields his power and authority, but one who subjects it into the hands of God. David was a great king because he acknowledged that all he had influence over was in the hands of God. So, whatever God gives you to do in life, do it well, to the honour and glory of God. You may not be a king, but wherever you have influence and opportunity, ask for God to help you in His steadfast love and faithfulness, for then you will do well. God made people to be kings, and He made people to be servants and every other role in-between. As you diligently perform the, ‘good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (Ephesians 2:10) ensure that you are performing these duties in a way that demonstrates worship and honour to God. Include him in your everyday life, every day, then you will know God as your refuge and strong tower too.

King David is a great example for all of us. He had the right perspective of his role and responsibility. He lived subject to God and in close relationship with Him everyday. He made sure he spent time with God, spoke with Him, learnt about Him, kept his vows, and lived under His authority. David lived his everyday life with God every day, do you do the same?

Is your love steadfast?

Psalm 57:1–11 (ESV):  

1  Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, 

for in you my soul takes refuge; 

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, 

till the storms of destruction pass by. 

2  I cry out to God Most High, 

to God who fulfils his purpose for me. 

3  He will send from heaven and save me; 

he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah 

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 

4  My soul is in the midst of lions; 

I lie down amid fiery beasts— 

the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, 

whose tongues are sharp swords. 

5  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! 

Let your glory be over all the earth! 

6  They set a net for my steps; 

my soul was bowed down. 

They dug a pit in my way, 

but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah 

7  My heart is steadfast, O God, 

my heart is steadfast! 

I will sing and make melody! 

8  Awake, my glory! 

Awake, O harp and lyre! 

I will awake the dawn! 

9  I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; 

I will sing praises to you among the nations. 

10  For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, 

your faithfulness to the clouds. 

11  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! 

Let your glory be over all the earth! 

This passionate psalm overflows with worship and appreciation of who God is even though David is pursued and in hiding. David focuses on how great God is, ‘above the heavens’ and ‘over all the earth’ as he realises that the present situation is no reflection of the character, power or kindness of God. God remains glorious, worthy and steadfast so David chooses to dwell on these facts rather than the fear and pain that he feels. David sets his mind to consider God because He is greater than the heavens and the Earth, and so is definitely greater and more trustworthy than the dangerous position he is in and his own emotions. 

Even when you feel like you’re ‘in the midst of lions’, you can praise God. Even in darkness and despair, God is there and is still a merciful refuge. David knew this - he chose to see beyond the cave and trouble that he was in to the refuge and glory of God. He set his mind to focus on the One who was keeping him safe and whose, ‘steadfast love is great to the heavens….faithfulness to the clouds’. 

David never dwells on the negativity. He has some awful experiences, as well as some great ones and his writings display the emotions he feels. He doesn’t deny that he feels; pain, fear, disappointment, joy, love, hurt or grief yet David does not let these emotions direct him or influence him other than by being felt. David accepts and acknowledges his reactions to whatever is happening and brings them to God. Then he considers God. You see, the situation and your emotions should not be the overriding factors in your life. God should be. Therefore David expresses how he feels and then moves onto what is more reliable and true - He reminds himself of God’s steadfast love and that He is; good, loving, powerful, steadfast, strong, purposeful, caring and full of mercy. 

The truth of God never changes. David is certain that he can trust in Him even in the terrible trials of life. In this psalm, David is enduring a life-threatening situation, but you wouldn’t guess it from the way it is written would you? David is full of praise for the ‘God most High’ saying, ‘I will give thanks to you’, ‘For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds’. David has put both the trial and God in their rightful places - God being far higher and more important than the problems he is facing. The focus for David is to continue to honour and worship God. He does not deny the pain and suffering that he is going through, but he does submit it to his knowledge of who God is.

So, how do you respond when you're in trouble, afraid or persecuted?

What do you focus on when life is difficult? 

What do you think about God when you are in pain and suffering? 

Do you allow the truth of God to inspire you and overwhelm you rather than your own fears and emotions?

Do you remember to extol and worship God? 

Even when life gets tough David does not stop worshipping or praying. In fact he makes sure that he is still doing these things. David does not turn his back on God or walk away, he goes towards God, talks to Him and honours Him even in the difficult times. David knows that God’s power, influence, greatness and love are worth being grateful for no matter what else is going on. God is worthy of praise whether today and tomorrow are good days or not. God is still steadfast in His love for you whether you experience it or not. God is still majestic, powerful and in control even when you are not. God never changes even when situations do. Therefore you can depend upon Him and praise Him in the cave as well as at the party. God is always above all things and He will always have His way, and His love will always be steadfast. Is yours?

Pray, wait and share

 Psalm 40:1–17 (ESV):  

1  I waited patiently for the Lord; 

he inclined to me and heard my cry. 

2  He drew me up from the pit of destruction, 

out of the miry bog, 

and set my feet upon a rock, 

making my steps secure. 

3  He put a new song in my mouth, 

a song of praise to our God. 

Many will see and fear, 

and put their trust in the Lord. 

4  Blessed is the man who makes 

the Lord his trust, 

who does not turn to the proud, 

to those who go astray after a lie! 

5  You have multiplied, O Lord my God, 

your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; 

none can compare with you! 

I will proclaim and tell of them, 

yet they are more than can be told. 

6  In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, 

but you have given me an open ear. 

Burnt offering and sin offering 

you have not required. 

7  Then I said, “Behold, I have come; 

in the scroll of the book it is written of me: 

8  I delight to do your will, O my God; 

your law is within my heart.” 

9  I have told the glad news of deliverance 

in the great congregation; 

behold, I have not restrained my lips, 

as you know, O Lord. 

10  I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; 

I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; 

I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness 

from the great congregation. 

11  As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain 

your mercy from me; 

your steadfast love and your faithfulness will 

ever preserve me! 

12  For evils have encompassed me 

beyond number; 

my iniquities have overtaken me, 

and I cannot see; 

they are more than the hairs of my head; 

my heart fails me. 

13  Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! 

O Lord, make haste to help me! 

14  Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether 

who seek to snatch away my life; 

let those be turned back and brought to dishonour 

who delight in my hurt! 

15  Let those be appalled because of their shame 

who say to me, “Aha, Aha!” 

16  But may all who seek you 

rejoice and be glad in you; 

may those who love your salvation 

say continually, “Great is the Lord!” 

17  As for me, I am poor and needy, 

but the Lord takes thought for me. 

You are my help and my deliverer; 

do not delay, O my God! 

When you wait for God to act, He will, and He will give you everything you need. 

David tells us that in his plight he prayed to God, telling Him about the suffering and pain he was experiencing, and God came through. Not just once, but every time. However, each time David had to wait ‘patiently’. When you're in need of God's assistance, do you wait patiently for God to act? Or do you pray, and then try to resolve things yourself? This is fine if God has given you inspiration in how to resolve the issue, otherwise you are preventing God from resolving things and taking the responsibility into your own hands. David tells us that his responsibility was to talk to God, then wait patiently. This is your responsibility too. Yet we can too often do the first bit of praying, but not do the essential second part which is wait! You are not God, therefore you cannot and should not be trying to fix every issue or solve every problem, what you should be doing is what David had learnt - pray and wait. For he declares that, 'I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.' If you want a testimony like that then you need to do the same.

Look at what David experienced. When he had learnt to pray and wait; painfully, enduringly, waiting. He saw that God; turned to him, listened, rescued him and brought him into a safe place, sent him in a new direction and gave David a reason to worship. When you wait on God, really wait, even when it hurts, you can experience this too. Do you want to be listened to, rescued and restored, given new hope and a heart full of gratitude? Then talk to God about what is going on, then wait. Keep praying and waiting, for however long it takes for the situation to dramatically reform then you will have reasons to worship. God will give you have testimonies to share of His goodness so that, 'Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.' Once God has helped you through a trying time in your life, what do you do? Do you thank Him? Give Him gratitude and tell others of God's goodness? 

David declares that, 'I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.' When you have been praying for something to happen and it does, do you tell others about it? Overcoming life's obstacles; being preserved, restored, forgiven, saved, heard by God, given direction security and reassurance are all great testimonies that should be shared. These circumstances demonstrate God's steadfast love, His faithfulness, salvation, kindness and power and so your stories should be shared. You should not hide the stories of deliverance and breakthrough, 'within my heart', but rather they need to be shared in, 'the great congregation. Give God the public glory. It will encourage and inspire others, give hope and show the power, might and love of God. Your story could allow others to, 'put their trust in God'. What a marvellous opportunity you have when God has brought you through temptation and trial - it is a chance for you to share your experience and by doing so others can develop trust in God, grow in faith and be inspired to hope in their situation. So, do not keep quiet, do not restrain your lips because you're afraid or feel that your experience is insignificant or silly. Who does that honour? Instead share about the amazing things God has done in you and in your life. Declare with gladness, 'Great is the Lord', show others that God is your, 'help and deliverer'. For by speaking of your, 'glad news of deliverance', you will be increasing joy, hope and faith in God in your hearers and will increase your own joy in your experience of God's love and power. You help to encourage others and build the church when you share the stories of what God has done. 

You can only collect these stories by praying and waiting. If you try to resolve all the problems yourself, who will get the commendation and praise once the trial has ended? 

Pray to God for the impossible, ask Him to preserve your life, to bring direction, breakthrough, deliverance, salvation, restoration, hope, security, and wait for Him to do so. Then you will have reason to worship, and great stories of, 'deliverance' to share with others so that God's love and faithfulness can be seen afresh and people can be inspired to put their trust and hope in God. You can help build the kingdom of God by praying, waiting and sharing - what a wonderful privilege!