GOD IS PLEASED WITH OUR DEPENDENCE ON HIM

GOD WILL USE DIFFICULTIES TO BRING US CLOSER TO HIM

Psalm 70

Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!

Let them be put to shame and confusion
who seek my life!
Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!

Let them turn back because of their shame
who say, “Aha, Aha!”

David’s requests for help from God is certainly a recurring theme in the psalms. As you know, these verses are inspired by God, and they were sung by the people of Israel. As I reflect on this, all I can conclude is that life is continually difficult, that we need to cry out to God, and that He is pleased by our dependence on Him.

Although we go to God over and over, presenting our difficulties, He is not disturbed or displeased with us, for the Lord desires for us to understand our total dependence on Him to provide for our needs.

Here, David is approaching God with urgency. Isn’t it encouraging to know that we can cry out to the Lord in our need, openly admitting our discouragement or weariness?

God is honored for us to trust in Him completely.

May all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you!
May those who love your salvation
say evermore, “God is great!”

But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God!

You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay!

These words of David show us the attitude and demeanor that should accompany those who cry out to God with their burdens.

As one seeks God, there should be a sense of rejoicing and gladness. What are these reactions based on? Surely not an expectation that all the problems and difficulties will be solved immediately, but because we know that our God hears us and cares for us.

We certainly have a great privilege to be able to go to the God of the universe, the One who holds everything in His hands, and place our burdens on Him. We know His character and are certain that it is perfect; we know His wisdom and know it cannot be surpassed, we know His power and we know it’s unmatched, and we know His love that cannot be lost. How could we forget the undeserved privilege we have in our relationship with Him?

His children know the reality of being redeemed. We love the assurance and peace it gives us to be right with God and know that His Son was given for us: our eternal peace at Christ’s great expense. It will be our joy to forever proclaim that “God is great”!

David continues, reflecting on his present state: he is poor and needy. He is certainly poor in his character, for he is a sinner. He is poor in his wisdom, for he does not know all things; he is poor in his power, for his enemies are overwhelming him. He is certainly needy! What a contrast with Who God is!

The more we reflect on our lowly human state, the more we should be overwhelmed by the immense privilege we have in knowing the Most High God!

David ends with an earnest plea. He needs God’s deliverance, and desires His intervention soon!

Dear friends, as we go to our great God, may we not forget the privilege we have, to freely ask Him for help; may our demeanor and words reflect this understanding, and may our dependence upon Him be complete!