In The Word
Read: Psalm 89:38-52
38 But You have cast off and rejected,
You have been full of wrath against Your anointed.
39 You have spurned the covenant of Your servant;
You have profaned his crown in the dust.
40 You have broken down all his walls;
You have brought his strongholds to ruin.
41 All who pass along the way plunder him;
He has become a reproach to his neighbors.
42 You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries;
You have made all his enemies rejoice.
43 You also turn back the edge of his sword
And have not made him stand in battle.
44 You have made his splendor to cease
And cast his throne to the ground.
45 You have shortened the days of his youth;
You have covered him with shame. Selah.
46 How long, O Lord?
Will You hide Yourself forever?
Will Your wrath burn like fire?
47 Remember what my span of life is;
For what vanity You have created all the sons of men!
48 What man can live and not see death?
Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.
49 Where are Your former loving kindnesses, O Lord,
Which You swore to David in Your faithfulness?
50 Remember, O Lord, the reproach of Your servants;
How I bear in my bosom the reproach of all the many peoples,
51 With which Your enemies have reproached, O Lord,
With which they have reproached the footsteps of Your anointed.
52 Blessed be the Lord forever!
Amen and Amen.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Psalm 89 begins with remembering the covenant that our mighty and strong God made with David and with praising Him for all that He has done. The verses we read today describe the circumstances Israel saw around them: protective walls had been broken down, and God’s people had become despised by the world around them. They cried out to God, “How long, O Lord will You hide Yourself and allow Your wrath to be upon us?” They asked God to remember them and the promise He made to David. Finally, they closed with praising God again.
When we see difficult circumstances before us, we too should go the Lord. We should begin as the Israelites did by praising Him and remembering His promises. His Holy Word is filled with promises. However, covenant promises have an “if” associated with them. The “if” is our part; it is what we must do to walk in those promises. When we are going through difficult circumstances, we need to examine our hearts and be sure that we have done our part. Then we cry out to God asking Him for divine intervention. Sometimes He calms the storm, and sometimes He just calms us so we can make it through the storm. Finally, we praise Him again for who He is and what He has already done. We continue to serve Him knowing that ultimately He will deliver us. Walk in that today. Blessed be the Lord forever!