Psalms 22-26
We read some of the more well-known psalms. No doubt you recognized
some of the passages. For example, many of the lines from Psalm 22 were descriptive of
Jesus’ death on the cross. “My enemies surround Me; they have pierced My hands
and feet. My enemies stare at Me and gloat. They divide My clothes among
themselves and throw dice for My garments” (v.16-18). Those who delivered Him unto death
said, “Is this the One who relies on the Lord? Then the Lord save Him! If the
Lord loves Him so much,, then let the Lord rescue Him” (v.8). Then, Jesus
replied, “My God, My God! Why have You forsaken Me?” (v.1).
Of course, we read perhaps the most famous song of all, Psalm 23, the classic Davidic
analogy of our Lord as the great Shepherd. Psalm 24 also has some familiar lines, such as,
“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The world and it’s people belong
to Him” (v.1). “Open up, ancient
gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King
of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, invincible in battle” (v.7-10).
However, rather than dive into one of these stellar passages, I’d like
to focus our attention on a common theme that is prevalent throughout the Psalms. It is obvious in
nearly every poem or song that David wrote that he was regularly in distress;
and when David was in distress, his fallback position was to put his
trust in the Lord to rescue him.
“O Lord, do not stay away,” he wrote, “You are my strength; come
quickly to my aid” (22:19). “Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be
afraid, for You are close to me” (23:4). “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. I trust in
You, O God. Do not let me be disgraced or let my enemies rejoice...” (25:1).
Daily Reflection
When soldiers are overwhelmed by the enemy, they have a fallback
position, some distance from the frontline, where they can find protection and
relief in the midst of an attack. Believe it or not, in the heat of
battle or life, you too run to a fallback position. You turn to someone
or something for strength; you retreat to some person, place, or practice to
“escape” from the heat of battle. What is that for you? Why have you chosen
this as your fallback?
Oftentimes, people run to the Lord as their last resort to solve their
problems or to provide them respite from their pressure or pain. Is He your
last resort? Are there other things or other people to whom you turn for help
before the Lord? If so, what does that communicate about your trust in Him?
It is clear that the Lord was not David’s last resort
but his first resort. When he met with crises or difficulties (and even when he didn’t),
his fallback position was to trust in the Lord. Do you trust Him enough to run
to Him?
BiAY.org | Day 128 — 237 Days to Go
No comments:
Post a Comment