I don’t know about you, but I need to ponder this one a bit more than others. Perhaps I am a bit distracted. I have just had grandchildren visiting, and now the stillness invades my soul once again yet my mind races back to the gleeful giggles and attention getting tugs on my hand to play. In the stillness, I am hearing bird chirping, children playing on the playground in the distance. The sunshine is calling my name. God’s beauty to behold.
Back to my reflections on this psalm. I’m struggling with this – how can we make disciples if we are to avoid liars, hypocrites, evil doers and the wicked? Aren’t they exactly our target audience, those who truly need a savior? Perhaps the difference here is in semantics and what it means to be “with them” as opposed to being “one of them”. Jesus himself spent tie with sinners and that caused many to question him and his motives. I think the fear for many is in the association, that we might somehow get in trouble, be judged unjustly, or even become like them. If we avoid them, we avoid all the risk.
The vain culture we live in tends to be so judgmental, and that can lead to fear. On the other hand, we live in a time of tolerance, and things which would have raised eyebrows in the past no longer do, and those that continue to stand by their convictions are oftentimes ridiculed or bullied. I personally fear weakness and succumbing to the evil or sin. I need to remember God’s promise of deliverance from temptations too great. It becomes our attitude then and our focus. This focus needs to always be on Jesus. His strength is sufficient. But we can’t let fear keep us from opportunities to further the kingdom, so long as that is our true motivation. We must be ready to publicly take a stand for Jesus, even if it is not popular. We must be bold and confident, in Jesus we have our strength.
So, how do you look for opportunities to witness? Make a bold move today and share something about Jesus without someone you don’t know.
Let’s pray. Father, thank you for your provisions to rescue us when temptations are great. Help me to see where you want me to stand for you today (and everyday). In Jesus’ name. Amen.
s clear — Jesus! I love when Scripture is put to music because it can take on such a deeper meaning (at least for me). It is also easier for me to memorize and take deep within. Having Scripture buried deep in our hearts enables us to call upon it at the proper time.
This is the psalm that i referenced in the New Testament during death of Jesus. David’s cries here are echoed by Jesus, “My God, my God, why have you foresaken me?” I think we, too, say that on occasion when things don’t go our way or when we feel like God has abandoned us. But just as Jesus’ death had to happen to fulfill God’s plan, maybe too, our suffering needs to happen. The reference to pierced hands and feet, casting lots for clothes, mocking, etc. all elicit images in our minds that seem obvious references to Jesus’ own suffering, yet I ponder these words coming from David.
This is a psalm of great praise giving honor and recognition to God for all he has done and given. Can you remember the time you last praised in this way? We too often just go about our lives expecting good things to happen, such as success, happiness and the like. While I’m sure God doesn’t want us to doubt, the counter of expect, I’m also sure that he longs for and enjoys our thanksgiving to him. We (or maybe just I) need to recognize and acknowledge God as the giver of all gifts, including our very lives. This psalmist is clear in his profession of where credit is due.
What a great psalm for the last day of the year, as we are all looking forward to a new year full of promise, new beginnings, and adventures. It starts out almost like a prayer for a friend in need, a reminder to them that God is ready to protect and provide. Time and again in the psalms we receive these gentle reminders that we are not alone in our struggles as we traverse through life. God is ready.
