Friday, April 18, 2014
Making Our Way
We are not alone. Growing up I often heard this said about life in other parts of the universe but no, that is not a UFO reference. I am speaking of the One that created all things, our God. Some say that God created the world and then just stood back, taking a hands off approach. But this is not what the scriptures tell us. Quite the opposite. God is forever active in our lives at all times. The psalmists spoke about this often, crying out to God. They expected God to hear and to act.
Psalms 59:1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord.
4They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
5Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
David acknowledged that he was not perfect and did wrong things in his life in verse 3, but that the evil in the world did not attack him for that reason. The evil attacked because they thought that there was no God.
Psalms 59:6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
We must ask ourselves why would David cry out to God? From early in his life he knew God was with him. God helped David defend the sheep when he watched over the flocks, helped him defeat Goliath, and he knew God was always there for him. God did not do this because David was perfect, but because God was God. It is His desire to deliver his people, and David knew and trusted in God being that loving and merciful One that watches over us. He knew he could call and God would answer. It is the reason he chose to sing, knowing God would show up to defend His people.
Psalms 59:8 But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
Often we may think that bad things happen to us because we are not worthy of the good. We are not worthy, but that is not why God defends us. God defends us because He is God. He alone is worthy. He will bring His kingdom forth in the world. And He will always come to the defense of His people when they cry out.
Today, if you are facing what seems to be evil, cry out to God, and sing to Him for His defense and His mercy. We are not alone, and God will show up for You in His mercy to defend you because He is God. That is what He does. Praise God!
Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High God. You alone are worthy to receive praise and glory and honor. There is evil in this world Father, and it is after Your people. Come to our defense. Forgive us our wrongs, and do not hold those against us. Do not slay our enemies, but scatter them so that all men might know that You alone are God. Please send us today Your healing, Your deliverance, and Your provision in a visible and powerful way that men may know that we are not alone, that You are our King, and that You alone are God. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.