Monday, June 20, 2011

Misplaced Hope

Psalm 13

For the choir director: A psalm of David.
 1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
      How long will you look the other way?
 2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
      with sorrow in my heart every day?
      How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
 3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
      Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
 
4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
      Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.
 5 But I trust in your unfailing love.
      I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
 
6 I will sing to the Lord
      because he is good to me.

Reading Psalm 13 this morning, I'm reminded of how easily we panic when we fail to keep our eyes on the Lord. No one could live in this world that we do without constantly being knocked down and discouraged by people and circumstances. But as a redeemed child of the maker of the universe I am not here to focus on the results of sin. Many times I babble the same words to Lord as David did in Verse 4 but what I don't realize is that I am so worried about others perception of me that I block out the encouragement of the Lords presence. It's almost as if I think that the only way the Lord can receive glory is to change my circumstances and where I'm at. The Joy of the Lord is not found in a change of things around me, in God punishing my enemies or even a realization of where I am at but in a confidence of who God is. The Lord is fully aware of where I am at even though it's hard to accept. Most likely He has put me there by HIS choosing. At the end of the psalm David's hope makes a 180. David quits putting his hope in things and puts it back in God. 

The Application for today:I will not put my hope in things, perceptions, or people but in my God. 





2 comments:

  1. I can relate so well with what you have written. How many times I've prayed this prayers, read these verses and felt I wrote the words! God's Sovereignty is an amazing thing. I won't ever grasp it or come close to understanding Him. I am thrilled and thankful when He lets me see a bit, a piece of who He is. I think we will be literally blown away someday at the true greatness of our God and how we didn't come close to figuring Him out. I love how David's mind and heart come back around at the end. God is Good! He is truly good to us. I deserve NOTHING. I am a horrible wretched mess yet, He is good and loves me. I love your thoughts..that you are writing more and more! Keep it up!

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  2. Thanks Jenn! It's a privilege to share how the Lord is changing me.

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