Our Eternal Security

 

Psalm 102
25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you will remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,
27     but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
    their offspring shall be established before you.

This is the concluding paragraph of a "psalm of complaint." The psalmist is faint, totally worn out by life. He has come to the end of himself? How can he go on? Only by the strength of the Eternal One.  Everyone and everything else wears out.  He goes on and on and on with full strength and power.  When you can't take any more, turn to Him.  He is our eternal security.

The Solid Rock of Love

 

Psalm 89
24 My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him,
    and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
25 I will set his hand on the sea
    and his right hand on the rivers.
26 He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father,
    my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’
27 And I will make him the firstborn,
    the highest of the kings of the earth.
28 My steadfast love I will keep for him forever,
    and my covenant will stand firm for him.

We notice in this psalm both a reference to God's faithfulness to His covenant with David and an allusion to His promise to see His Messiah through.  The psalmist alternates speaking from the perspective of God, like here, and from the pleas of the people of Israel. Included in the promise of God's love is the promise of His chastisement when they go astray.  When that happened (and still does) God's people cry out to Him and He faithfully hears and hears them. He is the Solid Rock Who is always there, faithful to respond with what we really need.

Tell the Coming Generation

 Psalm 78:25 Man ate of the bread of the angels;
    he sent them food in abundance.
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
    and by his power he led out the south wind;
27 he rained meat on them like dust,
    winged birds like the sand of the seas;
28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp,
    all around their dwellings.
29 And they ate and were well filled,
    for he gave them what they craved.

There are a number of psalms that retell the history of Israel - especially the Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings, in detail.  This particular lengthy psalm tells us why: "Tell the coming generation." There is always need to "pass the promise" and "warn of the consequences" experienced by God's people in the past, as His covenant and His principles remain in force.  At the time of the writing of the Psalm, the kingdom of David was still intact, but we are always just one generation away from turning away again.

Close to God

 

Psalm 73:23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
    you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

In this psalm, Asaph wrestles on behalf of his people with the question: "Why do the wicked prosper?" As he does so, he walks in the temple and considers his relationship with God. He realizes afresh that in his relationship with God, and for all of God's people, there is a closeness that the unbeliever can never fathom.  One in relationship with God has the guidance, comfort, strength, and contentment that the outsider misses out on - not only in this life, but forever.  May God guard our hearts and minds whenever we begin to think that the wicked have it so good.  They have no idea what they are missing out on.We need to tell them.

Letting God Take Care of It... and You

Psalm 69:24 Pour out your indignation upon them,
    and let your burning anger overtake them.
25 May their camp be a desolation;
    let no one dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute him whom you have struck down,
    and they recount the pain of those you have wounded.
27 Add to them punishment upon punishment;
    may they have no acquittal from you.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;
    let them not be enrolled among the righteous.
29 But I am afflicted and in pain;
    let your salvation, O God, set me on high!

Like in many of his psalms, David was feeling the intense pressure of his enemies. They were out to get him and destroy him. The desire for revenge was strong, but he kept calling out to God and trusting Him to bring justice. Also of note in this psalm is that David called out to God not so much for his own relief, but that others who feared God who were watching would not get discouraged by his example, but even more fully trust in Him.

Let's Have a Parade!

 

Psalm 68
24 Your procession is seen, O God,
    the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25 the singers in front, the musicians last,
    between them virgins playing tambourines:
26 “Bless God in the great congregation,
    the Lord, O you who are of Israel's fountain!”
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
    the princes of Judah in their throng,
    the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

In this psalm of David, he pictures the procession of God and His people into the Sanctuary in Jerusalem, but also His proceeding His people wherever they go throughout the world. The emphasis is on the power of God.  God always leads the way. His people are alive and thriving, young and active.  This processional is not just for Israel, but for all the peoples of the world to see the power of God, to come to Him, and to worship Him.  Do we see things the same way David does? That our God is most valuable and powerful, and that we should be excited to worship Him, serve Him, and draw others to Him?

Calling Out as a Congregation

 

Psalm 44
23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?
    Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!
24 Why do you hide your face?
    Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust;
    our belly clings to the ground.
26 Rise up; come to our help!
    Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!

This psalm is a congregational call with a solo.  (See verses 4-8) The people have heard of the "good old days" when God delivered His people, gave them victory, and blessed their land.  But now things are not looking so good. They are losing battles, business is bad, and people are discouraged. So, what do they do? They call out to God together: "We need You." They call out to Him to help, not based on how wonderful they are, but upon His steadfast love. He is the faithful God Who keeps His promises and helps the helpless who come with humility. May we be among those today who call out to Him together for His help, mercy, and grace.