Sorrow can be a powerful drag on one’s
spirit. Psalm 5 records part of that drag on the writer’s heart. He feels like
the LORD is judging him and asks how long it will last. It feels as if the LORD
has turned His back on him. He is tired. But despite these outward feelings, he
knows the LORD has heard his cries for mercy. Do you have confidence the LORD
has heard your cries?
Psalm 36 begins with an assessment of
humanity that would fit with today’s world, especially as portrayed by our
modern culture. Self-centered and self-absorbed. Evil becomes normal and
accepted. In contrast to this narcissistic culture the LORD’s love is ever
reaching, always present and boundless. Those who find this love have the
opportunity to experience delight! We all value love when we are in its
presence. Why would we ever reject its reach?
The remedy for the feeling of defeat is a
focus on God’s work in the world, both currently and in the past. Psalm 66
calls us to focus on His deeds. God delivered them from bondage in Egypt and
sustained them through the punishment for their own rebellion. The psalmist can
even see His hand in the work of his enemies, refining him and bringing out the
best. But he even calls the readers to hear his personal story (v16). It is not
enough for us to know of God’s intervention in other people’s lives, we must
experience God’s presence and purpose in our own lives. God desires to give you
your own story of His grace.
Psalm 96 is a glorious, uplifting psalm that
pulls us to focus on the LORD’s greatness and let that greatness be known
through worship. A new song! God’s work is not just something from the distant
pass. We can sing a new song about what God is doing in our lives and in our
world. His character is never changing and always worthy of worship. He calls
on the heavens, the earth, the sea, fields, trees and all of creation to
rejoice. We are included, and perhaps even the center of the psalmist’s call.
We need to rejoice in Him. Are you?
If you remember from history, the LORD
punished His people for their rebellion by allowing an enemy to defeat them and
literally take them to the land that is present day Iraq. They lived there for
70 years. But the LORD didn’t leave them there. Psalm 126 recounts the joy that
they felt when they learned that they could return to Jerusalem and the
Promised Land. They could not contain the joy they felt. Other nations even
recognized the LORD’s hand in this event. They were so filled with joy that it
bubbled out in laughter and singing. I can imagine spontaneous dancing and cheers.
Do you ever let your joy leak out?