Thank You, Lord, for the reading of Your Word.
Psalm 31:11-24
Starting off from verse 11, due to lack of time.
The LORD a Fortress in Adversity
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
11 I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially among my neighbors, And am repulsive to my acquaintances; Those who see me outside flee from me.
12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life.
When I read these verses, I’m more inclined to think of adverse situations rather than people as adversaries. I could think of a couple of people here and there who may not like me, and/or who would publicly call me their enemies.
I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing… But one thing is for sure, I’m not actually looking forward to getting to the same point as David did – the point where I would be so eloquent in the describing of my own unfortunate circumstances and challenging situations.
It DOES help, however – not to be so self-deprecating, but to actually sit down and think of how things aren’t as good as we think they are, or how things, when given enough intentional thought, are actually pretty bad. There’s a chance that we pierce through any ignorance, and see our actual state with unveiled eyes – in other words, given enough time, we’d see parts of us that are broken and dead.
I imagine what I know the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes; and close to Adam and Eve’s realization after their disobedience, we’d realise we’ve been naked and vulnerable all this time… and it doesn’t take much for fear to follow.
For some, ignorance is bliss. For the overwhelming rest of us, it doesn’t take much to realize how things are just… bad.
14 But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.
16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies’ sake.
17 Do not let me be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
But we’re all willing to take on that exercise of humility, if only to understand that, no matter how we approach it, we’re all going to do the same thing – to set our eyes on the Lord, to place our focus from ourselves to Him.
It is my prayer – and, I believe it is OUR continued prayer in the body of Christ – for all of us to eventually come to the point of looking to Christ.
May our loss of control bring us to realizing God’s absolute sovereignty.
May our loss of life and vigor bring us to realizing His infinite power.
May the absence of options and choices bring us to realizing His eternal wisdom…
and may our loneliness bring us to realizing – through it all, He is Faithful and True, loving us with an everlasting love.
And in our realization, may we be brought to praising Him. May we bring others to trust Him, and may we all join the chorus, and worship Him.
19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!
20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the LORD, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!
22 For I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before Your eyes”; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You.
23 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person.
24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.
Father, we give You glory and thanks. In the name of Jesus, and by the power of Your Holy Spirit, I pray for Your blessings to come upon all who happen to read this.
I pray, Father, that we would all find peace – not in anything else in this world, but in You. May we come to realize that You are willing and able to rescue us. You are willing and able to show us new things that we do not know, directions beyond our perception, options beyond our limited thinking.
I pray, Lord, for Christ – yes, beyond a grand spectacle, and beyond all logical arguments, may my brothers and sisters hear the Gospel of Christ – That is, His birth, death, resurrection and ascension – and let genuine, life-changing faith arise anew in our hearts.
We acknowledge that You are continually at work in our lives. We acknowledge You in all our works, all our plans; We lift up our fears, our anxieties, and the rest of our burdens up to You, entrusting You with all of it, acknowledging that we are helped – not by our power, but by Your Spirit. We thank You, that as we run to You, we shall find rest – peace beyond all understanding.
You are truly our very present Help. You make all things new.
Thank You, Father, for this time. Thank You, Father, for the reading of Your Word.
Be glorified and honored, now and forever.
In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.
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