A psalm of David.
¹ Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.
² O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come.
³ When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.
⁴ Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
⁵ You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
⁶ who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,
⁷ who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
⁸ Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.
⁹ You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.
¹⁰ You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
¹¹ You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
¹² The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
¹³ The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

In my daily studies I try to start the day out by reading five psalms a day and one chapter of Proverbs. The psalms help me grow in my understanding of the greatness of God and helps develops a closer relationship with Him. The Book of Proverbs helps me understand God’s way in dealing with the issues of life that involves my relationship with those around me. During the rest of the day I try to meditate of God’s word. This involves studying some of the great works of other authors. One such author is Oswald Chambers. His insight into God’s Word reveals a great desire to become more Christ-like in all aspects of live. An example of this can be found in today’s reading from My Utmost to His Highest May 13 “I should be living in such perfect harmony with God’s Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Chambers’ devotional is great book that can give great insight on how to develop a daily walk with Christ. However, as I read this psalm I am reminded of God’s courts, his house and his holy temple and those he has chosen to bring near to live there. This makes me think of the church and the role it plays in today’s society.

This week I started reading Charles Colson’s and Harold Fickett’s book The Faith. The subtitle of this book What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters is a message that should challenge the church today. In the introduction he brings to light how most (yes most not just some) believers really do not have a grasp of the great doctrines of the Christian faith. One of the questions he would ask was plainly ” What is Christianity anyway?” One of the trends that I have seen myself within the church over the last fifty years has been a move from it desire to preach the gospel to a lost and dying world, to a defender of Christian values and the family unit. In this process the Bible has taken a back seat to all the self-help, how to have purpose in life, and guides to family living books. This is supported by the statement in the book’s Introduction “Of the twelve critical doctrines that I have identified in this book, most of my friends, admittedly unprepared, could only name four, at the best five”.

As I reflected on this last statement, I ask myself if I could identify twelve critical doctrines if I was asked this this question. This is why the psalms are so important to me. I can grow in my understanding of the great doctrines of the faith on a daily basis. In this psalm I realize that the most important doctrine to your faith is answer “Who is God”. Here is some of the facts we can gleam from this psalm about who God is:

He is worthy of praise.

He hears our prayers.

All men will come to you.

God forgive sins.

God choose the ones who live in your court.

God are a righteous judge.

God created the world.

God cares for the world.

These are simple yet profound truths about God that we can grasp just by daily studying God’s Word. Another of the critical doctrines is answer in this psalm “Who is man”. He is overwhelmed by sins, yet our sins can be forgiven. It is God who chooses to bring us into his courts.

Verse four of this psalm reads “Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live “in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.  This verse reminds me of the Biltmore in Ashville North Carolina.  The beauty of the house can be seen from a distance, yet once inside one can realize the real splendor of living in this home.  That is the wonder of knowing Christ as your Savior.  He is the key to entering the courts of God.  To become one of the “blessed are those you choose” is simply believing in John 3:16.  Believing in Jesus is the good news.  Salvation brings us into the courts of God’s house.  You must be the one that chooses to accept or reject Him.       

Psalm 64

A psalm of David.
¹ Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
² Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from that noisy crowd of evildoers.
³ They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows.
⁴ They shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly, without fear.
⁵ They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, Who will see them?”
⁶ They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!” Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning.
⁷ But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be struck down.
⁸ He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
⁹ All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.
¹⁰ Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him!

Two things that David is asking here: I voice my complaint and protect my life. As we look at the way David dealt with Saul, we see the principle of Rom 3:5-9 come into play. “But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? (I speak as a man) God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? And not rather, (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.” How do we handle situations that others have forced upon us such as Saul forced upon David in a Godly manner? By looking at David’s life we can see how a man after God’s own heart handled them. First David took his issue to the Lord to deal with and did not deal with it himself. The second thing that David did was to ask for God’s protection.

As I read the second half of verse six “Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning” I think of the church of Laodicea in Revelation chapter three. When studying the seven churches of Revelation from a historical standpoint the church of Laodicea is the last church. Its name in Greek means “Laos = People and dike = principle, decision” or the right of the people. This church is pictured as a church that has works that are neither hot nor cold but are lukewarm. It is a church that is not rejected by the world but is rejected by God (I will spew thee out of my mouth). It is a church that Christ is knocking on the door to enter. This church could be the synagogue of Satan that was described in verse nine of this chapter as the ones that came to the doors of the church of Philadelphia and worship God and to learned that God loved them. As I study the role of the church in society today and look back to the role that church played in my youth, I see two different churches. It is to the church of Laodicea that he warns “I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man takes thy crown”. This crown is not given because of good works, but for remaining faithful in the mist of trails:

• James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
• Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you; the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
• I Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?
• II Timothy 4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing
• I Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

So, as mankind looks at your life, will they fear God and proclaim how powerful he is your life or will they see your life and proclaim how well you have done for yourself?

¹ O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
² I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
³ Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
⁴ I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
⁵ My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
⁶ On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
⁷ Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
⁹ They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.
¹⁰ They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.
¹¹ But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God’s name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

Matthew chapter 4 gives us a picture of Christ in the wilderness, which we will all face at one point in our walk with Christ on this earth. It is a time in which we cannot feel the presence of God in our life and the environment around us is very harsh. As I was watching the Fellowship of the Ring last night the scene where Boromir is dying in Aragorn’s arms and recalling the beauty of the halls of Minas Tirith came to mind as I read verse two. Christ knew the beauty of the city of God. He knew the power and glory of God. It was this time of reflecting on God’s Word and the angels that gave him comfort during an experience that help him make it through the desert. David statements in verse two “I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory” reveals that he too was looking at past experiences. He probably recalls the victories with the battles he had with lions and bears when watching his father’s herds in the wilderness. He probably recalls his victory over Goliath and the Philistines. But most of all it was probably the peace that overcame him when in the presence of God, he would worship his Lord with others in the sanctuary. It was probably the great songs and hymns that David had learned as a youth that he recalled during these desert times. As I look back to the past, it is not the sermons I recall, but the great hymns and praise songs that come to mind. Just remember when you are in dark times reflect on how God has delivered you in the past and the peace that came from your praises to him for these victories.

I started a new devotional today written by Max Lucado titled Grace for the Moment. His Introduction to this devotional is title Each Day. As I start to study this used book, I realized that the person before me only made it to page thirty-two. However, there seem to be a hunger in this person’s life to know God and his plan for their life. We all seem to make great plans to get back on a path to God when we go through difficulties in our life; however, as soon as the crisis is over, we turn back to our old ways. The words of advice that Max Lucado gives seems to echo the words that David writes in verse one of this Psalm “I seek you, my soul thirsts for you, and my body longs for you”. Max Lucado’s introduction (Each Day) to devotional gives direction to our life. The key to facing each day is making the right choices. These choices are also the way of God wants us to conduct our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And the best way to start each day is by reading and then hiding God’s Word in your heart.

¹ My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
² He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken.
³ How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
⁴ They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah
⁵ Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken.
⁷ My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
⁸ Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah
⁹ Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.
¹⁰ Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
¹¹ One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong,
¹² and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.

As I read this psalm today it shed a lot of light on the verse found in Matthew:13:23 “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.” What is the seed? It is the word of God. Therefore, the harvest that is spoken here is not lost souls, or works that one does for the Lord; but your own personal growth in God’s word. Verse eight in this psalm points to three areas that a Christian needs to focus on: walk in faith and lean not on your own understanding (trust Him), a life devoted to prayer (pour out your heart to Him), and applying Romans 12:19 in your life “Dear friends never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.” so make God your refuge. Ask these questions to yourself today: did I let God’s word grow in me today? Did I surrender to sinful acts or ways or did I look to God’s Word for direction in my decision making today? And last of all did I really believe his word even when I read a sentence like verse twelve in this psalm “Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.”

This sentence from Oswald Chambers’ book My Utmost for His Highest from the reading on December 9 “It is not a question of giving up sin, but of giving up my right to myself, my natural independence and self-assertiveness, and this is where the battle has to be fought” reflects the life that we must live. The last part of verse twelve reads “Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done” points to the direction we must live our life as we go about our day by day activities. Are we living our life for the rewards that the world heaps upon us or are we heeding the words of I John 2:15, 16 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world”. Going back to the Psalm one we must realize that there are only two directions in which we walk; the way of the righteous or the way of the wicked. Therefore, when we consider our rewards for walking in the way of the righteous we must look carefully at this chapter and considering this verse.

1. My soul finds rest in God this verse points to our faith. Do we trust God and lean not on our own understanding.
2. My salvation comes from Him, I cannot earn it nor deserve it
3. I will never be shaken because I trust in him.

In the margins of one of my study Bibles I have a note that reads “Some things are better left only with the Lord, and these battles must be turned over to Him”.  Then I have lines drawn to three verses in this psalm, verses 5, 8, and 12.  Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.  And that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.  Leaving things in the hands of the Lord might make us feel we are no longer in control of our live, however turning everything over to Him will give us a peace beyond understanding.

¹ Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
² From the ends of the earth will I call unto you, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
³ For you have been my refuge, a strong tower from the enemy.
⁴ I will dwell in your tent forever I will take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah
⁵ For you O God have heard my vows, you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
⁶ Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations.
⁷ May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
⁸ Then will I ever sing praise to your name and fulfill my vows day after day.

This is another Psalm that David wrote during one of the times that he was facing opposition from his enemy. It is interesting as one studies David life how much of his struggles dealt with those close to him, such as Saul, his own family, and his own group of advisors. Yet as we look at the struggles we face in live, they are usually with the close circles of family, whose whom we work with, neighbors, or the groups that we associate with in our free time.

As I study this psalm today, I realize the importance of a King in my life. Aging is a process in which we see the world of an infant expand from a small family unit into the community around him and then deflate in the later years back to the small family unit or a close inner circle of friend. In this process, man moves from a secure environment to a world of uncertainty and then tries to move back to a secure environment in his later days on this earth. Security is the second level on Maslow’s Hierarchic Pyramid of Needs. It is this area that people seek to conquer once their Physiological needs are met. However, the Psalmist realizes that it is the good Shepherd that meets both our Physiological needs as well as our secure needs. This good shepherd person is also our King Christ Jesus.

As we study the gospels we are introduced to Christ. So, as I study this psalm today my prayer is simply to be more like Christ. My prayer is to abide in him. John writes these words to us in I John 3:6-8:

Whosoever abides in him sins not: whosoever sins hath not seen him, neither knoweth him. My little children let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous: he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Yes, I know I need a King in my life and that King is Christ. He is the one I praise and the one to whom I will seek to fulfill my vows. The key to serving him is for me to put off the old nature and strive to put on his nature. This starts by striving to live a blameless (however not perfect) life.

¹ You have rejected us, O God, and burst forth upon us; you have been angry-now restore us!
² You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking.
³ You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
⁴ But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. Selah
⁵ Save us and help us with your right hand that those you love may be delivered.
⁶ God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Succoth.
⁷ Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter.
⁸ Moab is my washbasin, upon Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
⁹ Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?
¹⁰ Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?
¹¹ Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.
¹² With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

This psalm is similar to Psalm 108.

1 My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.

2 Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

3 I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

4 For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth.

6 Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

7 God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Succoth.

8 Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter.

9 Moab is my washbasin, upon Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

10 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

11 Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?

12 Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.

13 With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

You should study the places mentioned in this psalm. They will help you grasp a greater understanding of God’s redemption plan for mankind.

• Shechem is used about 60 times in the Bible. It was the place of Joseph’s tomb
• Succoth is used about 17 times in the Bible.
• Gilead is used about 129 times in the Bible. It was the land that the Gadites and Reubenites settle on the east side of the Jordan.
• Manasseh is used about 136 times in the Bible. The name of the first born of Joseph in Egypt and one of the thirteen tribes of Israel.
• Ephraim is used about 147 times in the Bible. The name of the second born of Joseph, but the one that Jacob blessed as the first born. Joshua was from this tribe. Referred to as the tribe of Joseph in Joshua 18:11 and Revelation 7:8.
• Judah is used about 797 times in the Bible. The tribe of David and of Christ.
• Moab is used about 181 times in the Bible. Moab was the son of Lot and his oldest daughter. Ruth, David’s great grandmother was a Moabite.
• Edom is used about 131 times in the Bible. The name of the descendants of Esau the son of Isaac and the twin brother of Jacob (Israel).
• Philistia is used about 10 times in the Bible. It is the land of the Philistines.

When I was young the events outside of my little world did not matter much to me.  As I started on my career path I started to realize that the decisions of others outside my little world had an impact on my life.  Now in my old age I can see how the decisions of others can impact the whole nation.  In this psalm it starts out with the simple question of “why have you rejected us, O God”.  As someone who has spent his entire life as a Christian and having the belief that this nation was a God fearing nation I would have a hard time seeing God rejecting us.  But now it seems that we as a nation have forgotten God.  The message of salvation is not longer proclaim, instead it is being replaced with a message of my rights.  Yes, we are living in the age of the church of Laodicea (Revelations 3:14-22). 

 The church of Laodicea was the last of the seven churches that was addressed in Revelations chapter two and three.  The message to this church was a message to those individuals who are listening to God voice.  The church is pictured as rich, and wealthy, and having no need of anything.  And yet in God’s eyes it was wretched, miserable, poor, naked, and blind.  The church has let the views of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life become there standard and sees itself as rich and wealthy, no need for God.   It is a church where Christ is on the outside of the church and knocking on the doors of individuals’ hearts.  These individuals must heed the message to buy from Christ gold refined in the fire, and white garments that you may clothe yourself.   So verse four of this psalm represents those who opens the door where Christ knocks “But for those who fear you”.

Psalm 59

¹ Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me.
² Deliver me from evildoers and save me from bloodthirsty men.
³ See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, O LORD.
⁴ I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!
⁵ O LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors. Selah
⁶ They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.
⁷ See what they spew from their mouths they spew out swords from their lips, and they say, “Who can hear us?”
⁸ But you, O LORD, laugh at them; you scoff at all those nations.
⁹ O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress,

¹⁰ my loving God. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
¹¹ But do not kill them, O Lord our shield or my people will forget. In your might make them wander about, and bring them down.
¹² For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,
¹³ consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah
¹⁴ They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.
¹⁵ They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied.
¹⁶ But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
¹⁷ O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.

This was probably written when Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. This was when David had to flee from Saul
1 Samuel 19

10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the spear; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the spear into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

11 And Saul sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal, David’s wife, told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to-night, to-morrow thou wilt be slain.

12 So Michal let David down through the window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.

13 And Michal took the teraphim, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair at the head thereof, and covered it with the clothes.

14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.

15 And Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

16 And when the messengers came in, behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the pillow of goats’ hair at the head thereof.

17 And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me thus, and let mine enemy go, so that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?

18 Now David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.

Of all the characters in the Bible, David is probably the one in which we can follow from his earlier life as a shepherd to his death as King. The story of David’s life as well as the life of Jesus gives us examples of how we should live our life as sojourners on this earth. The key to both of these lives was the principle of faith. Faith that no matter the events that are happening around us we need to only trust and obey. By living a life of faith we like David can say “O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.”

Psalm 58

1 Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge uprightly among men?
2 No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth.
3 Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies.
4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
5 that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be.
6 Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; tear out, O LORD, the fangs of the lions!
7 Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows be blunted.
8 Like a slug melting away as it moves along, like a stillborn child, may they not see the sun.
9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns whether they be green or dry-the wicked will be swept away.
10 The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Then men will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.”

As you read these verses, you will see that even an unjust ruler or government will one day have to stand before God and answer for their actions. As I read, verse three “even at birth the wicked go astray”, I ask myself who are the wicked. In Psalm one the wicked are described as one who does not delight in the law of the Lord, but walk in the counselor of the wicked, stands in the way of the sinners and seats among the seat of the mockers. The difference between the righteous and the wicked is simply their delight in the law of the Lord. In I Samuel 16:7 when Samuel was starting the process of anointing one of Jesse’s son as the next King of Israel God revealed to him that God looked on the heart on a man and not on the physical characteristic of a person. David was anointed to take Saul’s place. But why? The answer can be found in I Samuel chapter fifteen.

Samuel delivered to Saul a command from the Lord to utterly destroy the city of Amalek and not spare anything in the city. However, Saul spared Agag the king, best of all the livestock, as well as all that was good. When Saul was questioned by Samuel on why he did not follow the command of the Lord he stated he saved them to sacrifice to the Lord. When questioned about it again he answered, “but the people took the spoil to sacrifice to the Lord”. When Samuel made known to Saul that he had rejected the words of the Lord, Saul acknowledged his sin, because of he feared of his men. He wanted pardon, but he approached this pardon with the attitude of “OK, I did wrong nothing bad happen, let’s forget it and move on”. This is seemed in the way he responded to Samuel after Samuel rejected his confusion of the wrong doings. Samuel let Saul know that their relationship was over since Saul had rejected God’s Word and he turned to walk away. Saul then grabbed Samuel to force him to return back to the victory celebration and tore his robe. Saul responds was “I have sinned: yet honor me now before the elders and the people and go with me so that I may worship your God”. Why did Saul join the ranks of the wicked? Because, his delight was not in following God’s way, but in doing things according to Saul’s way. Saul placed his honor above God’s honor. With this decision, the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil spirit from the Lord was sent to trouble him.

When man make the decision to place his honor above God’s honor he also includes in this decision his desire not to walk in God’s way. Paul describes this decision in detail in Romans 1:18-32:

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness;

¹⁹ because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.

²⁰ For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse:

²¹ because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.

²² Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

²⁴ Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves:

²⁵ for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

²⁶ For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature:

²⁷ and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error, which was due.

²⁸ And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things, which are not fitting;

²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

³⁰ backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

³¹ without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful:

³² who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice them.

As I study the psalms and God’s Word on why men rejection of God the one theme that is at the heart of this rejection is their purpose in life verses God’s purpose in life.

Psalm 57

¹ Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
² I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.
³ He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; Selah God sends his love and his faithfulness.
⁴ I am in the midst of lions; I lay among ravenous beasts men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
⁶ They spread a net for my feet I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
⁷ My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
⁸ Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
⁹ I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
¹⁰ For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

This is another psalm of David as he fled from Saul into the caves. David’s starts out this psalm off in the same manner as he did in psalm 56. He asks for God’s mercy as he takes refuge in him.

Key Facts:

We must ask for mercy because we have no righteousness to stand on.

God has provided a refuge for us and that is where we need to hide.

God has his purpose for me.

God does save me.

He rebukes those who are against his chosen.

David’s faith was steadfast and so must our faith in God.

The wicked will fall in their own traps.

I will praise Him. Why?

For great is His Love.

Great is His faithfulness

And He alone is exalted.

As I read verse two “I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me” it takes me back to Matthew 26:39 where Jesus prays “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” as his purpose. David did become the king of Israel as God purposed him to be as we will someday be made Christ-like when Christ appears the second time. However, until this event takes place, we must that refuge in the shadow of God’s wing and pray the same prayer that Christ our example prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. It is God who fulfills his purpose, not us fulfilling the purpose that God has given us. As a good soldier puts his life on the line to fulfill the military commander’s objectives so must we put on life and our dreams on the line to serve Christ.

When studying David’s life at this time we must realize that he was going through a period of self-examination. Everything that he believed was being tested. At this time, he was surrounded by a small band of followers who like him was running and hiding. It is a setting like this that even when you are part of a group you still feel like you are alone with God. It is in these times of testing that God will slowly work to transform us to be making according to His purpose.

Psalm 56
¹ Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack.
² My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride.
³ When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
⁴ In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
⁵ All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me.
⁶ They conspire, they lurk, and they watch my steps, eager to take my life.
⁷ On no account let them escape; in your anger, O God, bring down the nations.
⁸ Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll are they not in your record?
⁹ Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.
¹⁰ In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise
¹¹ in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
¹² I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you.
¹³ For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

 This psalm was written by David when the Philistines had seized him in Gath. This was the period in the life of David when he was running from Saul. David’s life has been given to us as an example of how we must face the issues that we encounter on our journey in this life and how to address these issues. In this example, David is fleeing from Saul not because of wrongdoing but because of Saul saw him as a threat to his kingdom. This threat was not caused by David’s decisions but by God’s decision that the Lord had made in I Samuel 15 and 16 when He rejected Saul and chose David. God made this decision but how David reacted to it affected others around him. This holds true for us today. When making ourselves available to God, his plans for us can have an impact on the relationships to those around us. Just the simple belief that God is our creator and we are his creation will cause others around us to form an opinion about us. Saul rejected God’s decision to make David the next King and placed himself against God and chose to kill David. David accepted it but waited for God to intervene and make him king. So, as you read this psalm study David’s reactions to Saul’s attack on him. Waiting is not easy however; it does strengthen on faith in the Lord.

The first thing David does is to make an appeal to God’s mercy. He places himself before the judge of the universe as one that is willing to accept his verdict because David knows that God alone has absolute power. He states his case before God: (1. men hotly pursue me 2. they attach me 3. they slander me) because of their pride. They have twisted David’s words, they are plotting against him, they are lurking about him and are watching his steps.

After this appeal for mercy, David states to God “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” David praises God’s word and trust in his judgment and at the same time, David does not fear man. Why? Because Samuel had anointed him king of Israel and God had not changed this. Sometimes we seem to forget God’s promises that he has made. We seem to forget that he will never leave us or forsake us. We seem to forget my daughter Alex’s favorite verse Romans 8:28 “And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.” So, remember and trust in God’s promises in times of trouble. The second thing to remember is not to fear man.

Next, we see the results of David’s prayer “Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me”.  I love I John 5:14-15 where one of the five evidences of Christ in you is this: “And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us: and if we know that he hears us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked.” Yes, God does answer our prayers, he protects us along the way and the true believer can also repeat what David states in verse thirteen of this psalm. However, we must also understand from these verses that answer prayer is in accordance to His will. As we grow in Christ we must realize that the working of events in our life is for the purpose of God transforming the innermost part of us to be more Christ-like. Events happen every day in our life that will bring us closer or farther from the transformation that God wants to happen in our life. If we stay in the Word and walk in His way, then these events will bring us closer to the transformation that God desires for us and we will see answer prayer in our life.

As we read this psalm, we can also compare it to the life that Christ lived during his ministry on the earth. For as David the anointed king to take Saul’s place was pursued and hunted so was Christ the promise Messiah from God pursued and hunted. During Saul’s reign David was the rejected King just as Christ was during his ministry on this earth was the rejected Messiah. Just as David became King after Saul’s death, so will Christ become King of Kings when he returns to the earth. Are you looking forward to that Day?