WE
LIVE WITH TROUBLES, BUT ARE CARED FOR BY OUR LOVING GOD
Psalm
69:16
Answer
me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good;
according
to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
David
goes to God without a demanding spirit, for he knows that God’s dealing with
him is always good. God has shown His love and mercy over and over. God’s love
is so wonderful because it is based on His faithfulness. His love is eternally
perfect. He chose to love us when we were His enemies; He knew exactly how much
it would cost Him and how unfaithful we would be.
His
mercy is abundant! He has shown us mercy from the beginning and will continue
to prove Himself merciful; we will never exhaust His provision.
At times, it is useful to reflect on the kinds
of behaviors that expose a demanding attitude.
When
we complain, when we are bitter, and when we are angry, we are showing our
prideful opinion that we deserve something different from what we have
received, that in some ways we are being treated unjustly.
David
had looked at men for reprieve and had found none. His concern, at this point,
is that God’s reputation would be honored. All men knew that he was dependent
on God and that his life brought attention to his God.
David’s
pain is real and he is looking for a solution.
Psalm
69:29
But
I am afflicted and in pain;
let
your salvation, O God, set me on high!
Pain is real! People know how to
wound our hearts and souls.
This world is so full of sin and hatred that it is impossible to live here
without suffering. We should not be surprised.
Some
people with unbiblical thinking have equated God’s blessing with a life without
any problems. Biblically, however, a blessed life is one lived with faith in
God’s eternal purposes in the midst of temporary trials. All of our difficulties
and trials will certainly end when we meet our Savior face to face.
Psalm
69:30-33
I
will praise the name of God with a song;
I
will magnify him with thanksgiving.
This
will please the LORD more than an ox
or
a bull with horns and hoofs.
When
the humble see it they will be glad;
you
who seek God, let your hearts revive.
For
the LORD hears the needy
and
does not despise his own people who are prisoners.
God
is not looking for rituals, but He desires the sincere praise of those who
recognize who He is and are satisfied with His provision. Thankfulness is the
result of a heart that recognizes the providence of God. When one knows the
character of God and has experienced His love, then he will truly be grateful.
And the praise of God’s children will be an encouragement toward thankfulness
for those who observe it.
Dear
friend, have you stopped to reflect on how your attitudes and demeanor affect
those who observe you? We should be more
aware of what people are learning about God by watching our lives.
- Is our God worthy to be praised?
- Is our God wise in what He does?
- Is our God really in control?
- Is our God showing mercy to us?
- Does our God have eternal purposes that we care about?
- Is God protecting us?
- Is God providing what we need?
These
questions are clearly answered in all the conversations we have, in the
attitudes we portray, in our responses…
If
the Word of God is not feeding us, then we will not be able to respond
correctly to the difficulties and pains of this world. If we are not in the
fellowship of godly men and women, it will be difficult to stay correctly
focused.
Psalm
69:34
Let
heaven and earth praise him,
the
seas and everything that moves in them.
May
we faithfully please and praise our God!
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