Dear friends, what kind of life would we be living today,
had we not been saved by God and received His loving grace?
We certainly don’t want to lose sight of that contrast.
PSALM 31:1-5
1 In you, O Lord, do
I take refuge;
let me never be put to
shame;
in your righteousness
deliver me!
2 Incline your ear to
me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock
of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save
me!
3 For you are my rock
and my fortress;
and for your name's
sake you lead me and guide me;
4 you take me
out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are
my refuge.
5 Into your hand I
commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me,
O Lord, faithful God.
Again, David guides us in
a journey from problems to praise. We don’t really know when this psalm was
written, but we know that it was probably written at a different time from
other ones that follow the same pattern. This likely means that David had to
deal with problems most of his life and he needed constantly to focus on his
Lord.
Isn't that a familiar scenario?
We are constantly dealing with problems, and the idea that they will disappear
is probably not a biblical one, for these problems will expose sin, will grow
us in our sanctification, will bring us closer to God, will prepare us for
ministry to our brothers and sisters, and will be an opportunity for God to
shine through us in a difficult world.
Problems are always going
to be part of our lives, but God has promised to never leave us or forsake us!
David knew very well that
his hope in a God Who would rescue him depended on the character of his Lord.
It is God’s righteousness that delivers us.
As we run to find refuge
in the Lord, we are assured that He is stable. It is wise for us to set our
feet on the rock! What a privilege we have because we have a firm foundation.
We are wise when we build on it.
Matthew 7:24-27
24“Everyone then who hears
these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his
house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the
winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been
founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine
and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the
sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew
and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
By God’s grace, we have understood
the words of God. Also by His grace, we have repented and turned from sinful
ways. And so now we live our lives with a totally different final destination.
Dear friends, what kind of
life would we be living today, had we not been saved by God and received His
loving grace? We certainly don’t want to lose sight of that contrast.
The writer knows that even
though every situation, every enemy, was supposed to drive him into the arms of
God, he needed God to lead him and guide him.
We so desperately need to
be close to the Word of God, to allow it to shape our expectations, goals,
reactions, and emotions. What a privilege we have to be taught by the Word of
God, so we may be shaped and matured.
All David could do was to
commit his spirit to the Lord. We cannot read these words without remembering
the same words coming from the mouth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
Luke 23:44-46
44 It was now about the
sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth
hour, 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the
temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud
voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my
spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
These words followed other
words by Jesus just before the cross.
Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are
willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be
done.”
Jesus, our perfect example,
submitted His will to God and committed his Spirit in the hands of His Father.
We will have a very
difficult time committing our ways to the Lord, unless that commitment is preceded
by our complete submission and we know there are very good reasons to make it.
David reminds us of them: God has redeemed us and He is faithful. They are
certainly good enough reasons for us also!
May the Lord continue to
work in us!
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