Reading: Psalms 67-71
Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha. Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: and let such as love Thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying(Ps. 70:1-5).
When thinking back on King David, many of us are inclined to place him on a pedestal of righteousness, high above the rest of mankind. We draw inspiration from his relationship with God, but at the same time, we believe such an intense relationship is beyond their own reach. We feel spiritually inferior to the man whom God chose to head the earthly line from which He would eventually bring forth His Son (Rom. 1:3). These feelings often cause us to fail to see the correlation between David’s overall relationship with the Lord and his complete surrender to Him. David did not cleave to God through supernatural means beyond his control; he consciously chose to accept Him uncondition- ally as Lord of his life. That same choice lies before each of us today. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you (I Pet. 5:6-7).
The 70th Psalm provides a prime example of David’s total dependence on and unshakable trust in God. Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord. David was in trouble, and he sought God’s deliverance. To David, it was as simple as that. He knew with absolute certainty that God was there for him. Just as a child turns to their parent when they get overwhelmed, so David turned to God. But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying. To some, David’s words might sound brash and overreaching as he boldly stated what he wanted to happen to those who plagued him. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha. Yet David was merely claiming the promise that God had already given to his ancestor, Abraham. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Gen. 12:3). Far from being presumptuous, David’s plea showed a mature understanding of his relationship with God.
When we draw near God with a faithful heart, we too become heir to His promises (Gal. 3:29). David had complete confidence that the Lord would defend Him because God had said it would be so. Therefore he could survive any situation, no matter how dire or unending it seemed, secure in the knowledge that God would make it right. How many of us have the courage to believe the same?
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) (Heb. 10:22-23).
Thought For Today It takes humility, not pride, to proclaim God’s power because in doing so, we are acknowledging that we ourselves have none.
Word Studies: 67:2 saving health = salvation; 68:4 JAH is an abbreviation for Jehovah – the Eternal, Self-Existent One – and corresponds to I AM THAT I AM; 68:13 pots = sheepfolds; 68:18 led captivity captive = led your captives captive – a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:8- 9); 68:20 issues = escapes.
Christ Revealed:As the One who led captivity captive (Ps. 68:18). With His resurrection power, Jesus broke the captive power of Satan. When He led the Old Testament saints from paradise into heaven, He led captivity captive (comp. Eph. 4:8; also Gal. 5:1; Rev. 1:18).
Pray For Country: South Africa (48,375,645) Southern Africa • Major Languages: IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, Afrikaans, English • Religious Freedom • 36.6% Protestant; 7.1% Catholic; 1.5% Muslim; 36% Other Christian; 2.3% Other; 1.4% Unspecified; 15.1% None • Prayer Suggestion: Call upon the Lord in time of trouble, for He promises to hear us (Ps. 18:6).
Optional Readings:I Thessalonians 5