Has the LORD called you to do something that
you feel you can’t do? In Psalm 11 the wicked are in ambush mode and the writer
is being told to find refuge in the LORD. But I get the feeling that in order
to get to the LORD’s safety he must pass through an open area making himself vulnerable
to the enemy’s attack. Sometimes we must leave relative safety in order to find
a more permanent safety. We leave the safety and predictability of the known
for something unknown and as of yet, not experienced. We leave behind addiction
and abuse which is very familiar. We run to love and acceptance which is very
new.
Illness has overcome the psalmist (Ps 41). People
come and visit, some to rejoice in what they think is his final demise. But
even in these dire circumstances, the writer calls out to the LORD for mercy.
He knows that even if he dies, he will be in God’s presence forever (v12). So
even if rumors about your early demise are being spread, the LORD will not
leave you.
I can almost hear the writer of Psalm 71
working to talk himself out of his depression. He wants to be delivered. The
LORD has been faithful in the past. Even when he feels like the LORD is about
to thrown him away (v9), he still reaches out to Him. He will continue in
worship (v14). Nothing impedes declaring the greatness of God.
What we do in life does matter! Our deeds
need to match our confession. The writer of Psalm 101 recognizes this joining
of word and deed. He outlines some of the common failings of that day and of
every day. It can be easy to live a lie. No one may know. But integrity calls
us to a higher standard. Just because it is secret does not mean it is
acceptable.
Are you content? I know that many times I am
not! In Psalm 131 we are reminded to recognize our place. We each have a sphere
of influence (v1) and we should limit our energies to that sphere. Beyond that,
we can do little. And when we recognize and accept that limitation then we can
be content, like a weaned child (v2). A weaned child is not desperate for the
next feeding. They have learned that adults will provide for them, and they don’t
need to be afraid. Are you content?