May 21 - Psalms 17-19
In Psalms 17 and 18 we see two themes that are common in the Psalms: vindication and deliverance. These themes keep coming up because David wrote many of the Psalms, and he had to deal with these issues all of his life. All of us have to deal with them to some extent, so they are important to all of us.
Many times in the past when I have made a decision which was questioned by someone else, I have become defensive. That is not a good response. People do not feel you are listening, when you respond with a quick defense of your reasoning or actions. Instead, the Bible says that we should do what God wants us to do, and then let Him vindicate us. If we fail to do God's will, we should be quick to admit our failure, but if we do His will, in time He will show others that it was the right way. That is vindication.
Deliverance is receiving God's strength to overcome an enemy or something an enemy puts in our way. Look at all of the adjectives David uses for God at the beginning of Psalm 18. Many of them are military terms. David had found out that he must not trust in his sword and shield, but in the Lord. He knew that when he cried out to the Lord, God had heard him and given him the victory. The language or war here is pretty graphic, but it is a fact of life. Some enemies will try to destroy you, and it will take extreme measures on your part to defeat them with God's power and blessing. God is not opposed to war, if that is what it takes. However, David also tells us that God brought him to a "broad place"(18:19) and to "high places." (18:33) These are both places of safety and comfort. All of life is not a battle, if we trust the Lord to vindicate us and to deliver us.
Finally, Psalm 19 is a description of the Word of God. The world is full of His glory, and His truth has been sent out by the works of His hands. Then, when people seek Him, they find His word to be completely perfect, and they find that keeping His word has many rewards. The main result of keeping God's Word is that a person will be found blameless. What a blessing to think of standing before God clean and pure.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 20-22.
Many times in the past when I have made a decision which was questioned by someone else, I have become defensive. That is not a good response. People do not feel you are listening, when you respond with a quick defense of your reasoning or actions. Instead, the Bible says that we should do what God wants us to do, and then let Him vindicate us. If we fail to do God's will, we should be quick to admit our failure, but if we do His will, in time He will show others that it was the right way. That is vindication.
Deliverance is receiving God's strength to overcome an enemy or something an enemy puts in our way. Look at all of the adjectives David uses for God at the beginning of Psalm 18. Many of them are military terms. David had found out that he must not trust in his sword and shield, but in the Lord. He knew that when he cried out to the Lord, God had heard him and given him the victory. The language or war here is pretty graphic, but it is a fact of life. Some enemies will try to destroy you, and it will take extreme measures on your part to defeat them with God's power and blessing. God is not opposed to war, if that is what it takes. However, David also tells us that God brought him to a "broad place"(18:19) and to "high places." (18:33) These are both places of safety and comfort. All of life is not a battle, if we trust the Lord to vindicate us and to deliver us.
Finally, Psalm 19 is a description of the Word of God. The world is full of His glory, and His truth has been sent out by the works of His hands. Then, when people seek Him, they find His word to be completely perfect, and they find that keeping His word has many rewards. The main result of keeping God's Word is that a person will be found blameless. What a blessing to think of standing before God clean and pure.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 20-22.