Monthly Archives: January 2014

Romans 9, Psalm 57

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In Romans 9, Paul explains God’s mercy, and the hope we have been offered. God said to Moses “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Mercy and compassion are two gifts God provides to “whomever he wills“. What an amazing and humbling idea then, when God through Hosea writes “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people’… they will be called ‘sons of the living God’.“

God has called us to be “children of the promise“, counted as His children. Not because of anything we did, but because God chose to do so. Let us follow David’s example, and “give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.“

Psalm 51, Romans 5-6

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Having written Psalm 51 after the visit of Nathan the prophet, David would have keenly felt the effect of sin and the relief of God’s mercy. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin… create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”  David is incredibly thankful for God’s mercy, and now seeks to re-establish his relationship with God with a broken spirit and a contrite heart.

Romans 5-6 also deal with sin and God’s mercy. Through Christ we have “obtained access by faith into the grace in which we stand“.  We can rejoice that Christ died for us, even while we were sinners, giving us a chance to “walk in newness of life“.

Let us follow the advice of Paul and the example of David, every day a new chance to be slaves of righteousness, leading to sanctification and in the end, eternal life.

 

Genesis 39-40, Psalm 44

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Genesis 39-40 records Joseph’s continued faith and reliance on God, even in the distant foreign country of Egypt. Four times we read the phrase “the Lord was with Joseph“. He was successful in all that he did, and Potiphar’s household was blessed because of the presence of Joseph.  When faced with temptation, his thoughts were focused on God.

Similarly, God was with his people Israel. The psalmist writes “for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them…you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us”. God’s support was not unconditional though, when they turned from Him they suffered at the hands of the surrounding nations.

Let us aim to be like Joseph, to ensure people around us can see our relationship with God, as Potiphar could see Joseph’s relationship with God, remaining faithful despite the difficulties of life.

 

Psalms 41-43

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Psalm 41 describes God’s care, “in the day of trouble the Lord delivers himl the Lord protects him and keeps him alive“. Even during this time of difficulty with Absalom, with David’s enemies waiting for him to die, whispering about him, his close friend betraying him, David relies on God. “I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me”.

David continues these thoughts in Psalms 42-43.  Four times he refers to his soul being “cast down“, as he paints a picture of inner turmoil. “I say to God, my rock: why have you forgotten me?” and then later “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God“. Again, “you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me?” followed by “I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy“.

We can be encouraged when we consider a faithful man like David struggling with daily life, with great trials and inner conflicts. Yet we know that David “found favour in the sight of God”, as can we, if we also war against the influence of sin in our lives.

Psalms 39-40

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Psalms 39-40 are a great pair of Psalms in which David intimates his thoughts and feelings during his time of distress. He feels insignificant before God, “my lifetime is as nothing before you…man goes about as a shadow“, yet does not find God unapproachable, “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears“.

David finds comfort and security in his relationship with God. “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 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.” He finds comfort and mercy, “O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me“, and ensures others know also, “I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation…I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness“.

Let us be like David, seeking God, rejoicing and being glad in His support through the trials of life, knowing that God takes thought for our every need.

Psalm 37

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Psalm 37 contrasts the wicked and the righteous, their way of life and destiny. Both receive a reward appropriate to their way of life. David writes this Psalm as encouragement, “fret not yourself because of evildoers…they will soon fade like the grass“.  Instead we are to “Trust in the Lord, and do good… commit your way to the Lord…refrain from anger.“

The righteous have an inheritance, “evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land“; have little now “better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked“; but an eternal inheritance, “the Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever… but the wicked will perish“.

We have a refuge from the cares of this life, a God who can deliver us from anything the world does to us. “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble… he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him“. Let us, like David, take refuge in God, looking forward to that eternal peace which is shortly to come.

Psalm 34

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Psalm 34 gives us insight into David’s thinking when he feared for his life. In desperation he had fled to Gath, and now resorted to feigning madness in order to survive. David writes “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears… This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them”.  God is all around us, in every situation in life. While we’re unable to see the angels encamped around us like Elisha’s servant could, David assures us they are present and working in our life.

From verse 11 onwards, David teaches about the fear of God. “Keep your tongue from evil…turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it”.  Again the idea of crying to God for help is expressed, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit”. David highlights the importance of prayer, maintaining a relationship with God and relying on Him. Let’s follow his advice, making prayer a real and active part of our everyday life.

 

 

Psalm 33

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Psalm 33 describes God’s work in creating the heavens and the earth. With this context comes the exhortation “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” This is not a meaningless, arbitrary fear of a being we don’t comprehend, but rather an appreciation that God wants to be part of our life, “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.“

The Psalmist reminds us of the importance of trusting in God, relying on Him for help,  confident in His love for us and His ability to grant us eternal life. “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.“

Genesis 26, Psalm 31

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In Genesis 26, Isaac is reminded 3 times that God is with him. Even after repeating his father’s mistake of describing his wife as his sister for fear of death, God appears to Isaac and reminds him  that the blessings of Abraham also applied to Isaac.

David in Psalm 31 describes the comfort and refuge he feels as a result of God being with him.  In contrast to Isaac ‘s lie about his wife, David puts his trust in God. “In you, O Lord, do I take refuge… incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily… into your hand I commit my spirit“. During his time of distress, David recognises God would care for him, even when everyone else has forsaken him. “He has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city… you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.”

We are encouraged to follow David’s example. “Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful…be strong, and let your heart take courage.“

Psalms 30, Matthew 15

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David reminds us of God’s great compassion and care for us. “O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.”  God hears our cries and prayers, no matter whether we’re rejoicing or grieving.  With God’s support David could say “I shall never be moved. By your favour, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong“.

In Jesus’ life we see the same compassion demonstrated. Matthew 15 records that Jesus went up a mountain, as he often did to spend time alone with his God. Great crowds of people followed, bringing many sick people, yet Jesus heals them all.

Let us follow David’s example, rely on God for strength in the trials and joys of life, and demonstrate the care and compassion we see in Jesus’ life to those around us.