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God’s Covenant with Us (5/10/26)
Let me be honest with you. I have started this week’s lesson commentary several times, and none of it seems to flow helpfully. Should we reflect on God’s promise to David (Psalm 89:3)? If so, what do we do with the other side of the coin, God’s giving David the short end of the stick (Psalm 89:43)? Then, we know the story of David and Bathsheba, but God says the covenant with David is still good (Psalm 89:34). The psalmist seems to think God has abandoned God’s promises (Psalm 89:49).
Then, it dawns on me. The one constant in these rollercoaster verses is the presence of God. Even when the psalmist laments that he cannot experience God (Psalm 89:46), he admits that God is present, but just hidden from him. Even when I do not see God, God is still with me.
Do you remember when Jesus, on the cross, cried out “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani,” which translates as “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Even in that cry, there is an awareness that God the Father is present. Why else would Jesus speak out unless He acknowledged the presence of the One to whom He spoke?
Each of us has experienced times when God seemed absent, but what we thought was God’s absence was simply God’s presence in a way we did not expect.
Notice the words that the psalmist uses to describe God’s relationship with David and David’s people. Steadfast love (v. 1). Faithfulness to all generations (v. 1). Established forever (v. 2). All generations (v. 4). Faithfulness surrounds (v. 8). My hand shall always remain with him (v. 21). My covenant with him will stand firm (v. 28). I will not remove from him my steadfast love (v. 33).
Then, notice the shift of gears at verse 38. Spurned and rejected him (v. 38). Full of wrath (v. 38). Renounced your covenant (v. 39). Defiled his crown (v. 40). Scorn of his neighbors (v. 41). Enemies rejoice (v. 42). Your servant is taunted (v. 50).
In both cases, God is present. And the psalmist sets us an example of being fully honest before God.
What Someone Else Has Said: Sandra Higgins Matthaei (The God We Worship, Abingdon) has written: “God’s assurance of blessing demands our response.”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Let me be honest with You, Lord…”
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By NC Conference of The UMCLet me be honest with you. I have started this week’s lesson commentary several times, and none of it seems to flow helpfully. Should we reflect on God’s promise to David (Psalm 89:3)? If so, what do we do with the other side of the coin, God’s giving David the short end of the stick (Psalm 89:43)? Then, we know the story of David and Bathsheba, but God says the covenant with David is still good (Psalm 89:34). The psalmist seems to think God has abandoned God’s promises (Psalm 89:49).
Then, it dawns on me. The one constant in these rollercoaster verses is the presence of God. Even when the psalmist laments that he cannot experience God (Psalm 89:46), he admits that God is present, but just hidden from him. Even when I do not see God, God is still with me.
Do you remember when Jesus, on the cross, cried out “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani,” which translates as “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Even in that cry, there is an awareness that God the Father is present. Why else would Jesus speak out unless He acknowledged the presence of the One to whom He spoke?
Each of us has experienced times when God seemed absent, but what we thought was God’s absence was simply God’s presence in a way we did not expect.
Notice the words that the psalmist uses to describe God’s relationship with David and David’s people. Steadfast love (v. 1). Faithfulness to all generations (v. 1). Established forever (v. 2). All generations (v. 4). Faithfulness surrounds (v. 8). My hand shall always remain with him (v. 21). My covenant with him will stand firm (v. 28). I will not remove from him my steadfast love (v. 33).
Then, notice the shift of gears at verse 38. Spurned and rejected him (v. 38). Full of wrath (v. 38). Renounced your covenant (v. 39). Defiled his crown (v. 40). Scorn of his neighbors (v. 41). Enemies rejoice (v. 42). Your servant is taunted (v. 50).
In both cases, God is present. And the psalmist sets us an example of being fully honest before God.
What Someone Else Has Said: Sandra Higgins Matthaei (The God We Worship, Abingdon) has written: “God’s assurance of blessing demands our response.”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Let me be honest with You, Lord…”