Overview of: PsalmsToday's Reading:
Psalms 55 – 59
Focus Verses: Psalm 57:4-7
4 I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. 6 They spread a net for my feet—I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path—but they have fallen into it themselves. 7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
See 1 Samuel 24 to read the story behind the Psalm
Insight:
The Psalms in today's reading are filled with descriptions of perils juxtaposed with expressions praise. In one breath David describes the tongues of his enemies as sharp swords, but then in the next breath David's tongue begins to praise his God. David describes the trap his enemies have spread for his feet, though they are the ones who will trip and fall. In contrast, David's heart is steadfast. He is confident that by God's grace he will not be brought down, and so he lifts up his voice in songs of praise.
Response and Action:
When I think of the fears and challenges in my life, I will lift them up to God in prayer. And as I cry out for help, I will also sing songs of honor and trust. I will punctuate my pleas for help with shouts of praise. Every problem I recount to God will be accompanied with an expression of hope and adoration. Every time I think of the things that threaten to bring me down, I will give thanks to the Lord who has promised to hold me up.
O God, I live in a world of danger, but you are a God of deliverance. There are things that scare me, but you have promised to save me. Traps have been set to pull me down, but your truth has been given to hold me up. In the face of every peril, I will give you praise. Thank you for Christ Jesus who has both promised and proved that you are the faithful God who has defeated every enemy--even death. Nothing can defeat those who have placed their confidence in you by trusting in your Son, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit--one God now and forever. Amen.
New Testament for Today: Romans 8:33-37
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
In Context: Romans 8
Proverb for Today: Prov. 27:12
"The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it."
Recommended Reading:
Faith & Doubt
by John Ortberg
