March 13, 2011

Psalm 57 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Matthew 24:36-51, Romans 7:1-12, Numbers 25-26

Journal Entry

Scripture

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! (v. 7)

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. (v. 9)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! (v. 5, v. 11)

Observation

David had a wonderful relationship with God and had tremendous faith in Him. God ordained David from his youth to lead his people and he became the King of Israel. So, it is not surprising that he would have such a devotion to God as describe in these verses.

What is remarkable about today’s verses, however, is that he was able to affirm his steadfastness to God and exalt Him while he was in hiding from Saul and his army in the cave. Saul, God’s ordained King, sent out an army to seek out and kill David. He was running away going from town to town and was pigeonholed in the cave when he wrote today’s Psalm. Rather than showing bitterness and anger toward God, he sings praises and affirms his steadfast heart toward Him. How remarkable is that?

David also shows his commitment to bring God’s glory to all nations, over all the earth. He has not forgotten God’s covenant with Abraham (Gen. 12: 1-3) to bless all nations, and he affirms his role in fulfilling the covenant, even in the midst of all his afflictions.

Application

It is rather easy to praise and exalt God when things are going well. If God is blessing me with things, job, finance, relationships that I desire, why wouldn’t I exalt and thank Him? The story is all too different if the world around me is crumbling. I may seek and pray to God to make the situation better, but I rarely exalt him and give thanks. Even if I do, it is because I know I am supposed to do it, not because my heart is really thankful. Today’s verses showed me that a person of faith has a steadfast, thanksgiving heart toward God, regardless of one’s situation and circumstance. Clearly, I have to work on this.

Another lesson for me is that my involvement with missions (bringing God’s glory to all the nations) must be done at all times, not just when things are going well or when it is convenient to me. A person of faith knows what is in God’s heart and there is no greater desire of God than to be the object of our worship.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I desire that my heart be steadfast toward you regardless of my circumstances or situations. I desire to exalt you and give you thanks no matter how bad things look and how I feel. And may I not forget about the nations and how much you love all peoples daily. Please reveal to me what you want me to do and grant me the courage to follow through your promptings. Amen.

--tchang