May 28 - Psalms 40-43
These psalms are David's intimate prayers. They contain many personal insights into what is going on in David's life. It is as though he is having a conversation with God around a table. The same way we would speak to a friend, David speaks to God. That is how our prayers should be all the time. I think we are hesitant to pray for ourselves many times, because we don't want to be selfish. However, we can converse with God and work out our problems without selfishness. The purpose of our prayers is to find God's will for our lives and to receive the strength and provision to do His will. That is what David is doing in these psalms.
In Psalm 40 David gives God the glory for lifting him out of the miry clay in the pit and placing him on the rock with a new song in his heart. Then, he tells us that he gave all of the credit to God for this and other blessings God gave him. In fact, he says that God's blessings are too many to be counted. What a testimony for the king to give to the people. I know David was a great influence on the people to do God's will. We should seek to be the same kind of influence on others.
Psalm 41 relates the difficulties of a leader. It is hard when everyone is turning against you. Then, David tells us that even one of his close friends turned on him. That makes the hurt even worse, but it teaches us not to trust in men, but in God. Men will fail us.
In Psalms 42 and 43 David still grapples with his troubles and works them out by being honest with God about what is going on in his heart. He can always stand before God in integrity, because his heart is set on the Lord. In fact, David tells us that his soul longs for God like a deer longs for the water. What does that mean? Nothing could keep David from seeking after God and finding his spiritual nourishment. He knew that God could see that longing for Him. Therefore, he could come to God as a sincere believer and child of God. I hope you can stand before God in this same integrity.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 44-46.
In Psalm 40 David gives God the glory for lifting him out of the miry clay in the pit and placing him on the rock with a new song in his heart. Then, he tells us that he gave all of the credit to God for this and other blessings God gave him. In fact, he says that God's blessings are too many to be counted. What a testimony for the king to give to the people. I know David was a great influence on the people to do God's will. We should seek to be the same kind of influence on others.
Psalm 41 relates the difficulties of a leader. It is hard when everyone is turning against you. Then, David tells us that even one of his close friends turned on him. That makes the hurt even worse, but it teaches us not to trust in men, but in God. Men will fail us.
In Psalms 42 and 43 David still grapples with his troubles and works them out by being honest with God about what is going on in his heart. He can always stand before God in integrity, because his heart is set on the Lord. In fact, David tells us that his soul longs for God like a deer longs for the water. What does that mean? Nothing could keep David from seeking after God and finding his spiritual nourishment. He knew that God could see that longing for Him. Therefore, he could come to God as a sincere believer and child of God. I hope you can stand before God in this same integrity.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 44-46.