Text: Psalm 13:1-6

1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

-Psa 13:1-6 ESV

MY HEART SHALL REJOICE IN YOUR SALVATION

Apparently, David’s life was difficult. Scriptures is replete with verses about believers having to undergo suffering. Two examples include Asaph and the prophet Habakkuk who also express their confusion and frustrations to God (Psa 73:2–3; Hab 1:2–4). David’s question of "how long?" repeated 4 times, is more than just a question of time. He was asking for an explanation. There is a sense of "why?" carried within these complaints.

God is not the author of evil but He allows it. Pain and sorrows are an integral part of our lives. David has a similar note of concern in Psalm 22:11, wherein he pleaded with God, "Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help." We could identify with his feeling of abandonment at times. Like him, our troubles may happen and provoke us to think God has forsaken us and no longer cares for us. However, the Lord would never forsake us for He cares for him (Heb 13:5; 1 Pet 5:7).

He asks the Lord to light up his eyes[v.3]. ‘Light’ is the embodiment of wisdom, truth, and goodness in the Hebrew mind. He asked for a proper perspective on his troubling situation. We, believers, should pray for wisdom when facing trials, should we not? (Jas 1:5). Otherwise, we would be deceived and carried away by our emotions.

Moreover, he also longs for encouragement[v.4]. Fear of death was not an exaggeration, but a very real threat to David. Death and defeat would surely happen unless God intervenes. David has a lot of threats, especially from King Saul and his son Absalom. We need the grace of God.[2 Cor 12:9,10]

Thankfully, David's struggle to find an answer will not lead him to reject God. He did not wait for God to answer. Instead, He responded to his fears with faith (v.5,6). Yes, there are times that our enemy may seem to triumph over us. However, "we are more than conquerors through him who loved us", are we not? (Rom 8:37) Jesus assures us that ‘He overcomes the world’ even though we pass through tribulations.[John 16:33] At the end of the day, David will sing to the Lord because the Lord has been so good to him. The word "bountifully" suggests his trusts to the abundant God's goodness. Praise should be constant although our difficult circumstances have not change. God's love is unfailing. Thus, God's people like us could rejoice, knowing that God is good all the time.[Rom 8:28]

Today, let’s remember the realities of struggle. Let’s not be carried by our emotions but should hold unto the truth. We live by God’s promises not by explanations.

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Text: Psalm 12:1-8 (ESV)

Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone;

for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.

2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;

with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,

the tongue that makes great boasts,

4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,

our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,

I will now arise,” says the LORD;

“I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

6 The words of the LORD are pure words,

like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,

purified seven times.

7 You, O LORD, will keep them;

you will guard us from this generation forever.

8 On every side the wicked prowl,

as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

TRUSTING GOD’S WORD IN A GODLESS CULTURE

In this Psalm's introduction, the word ‘sheminith’ is mentioned. It is often left untranslated. It is apparently related to the Hebrew word for "eight" or "eighth." This instruction might refer to an eight-stringed instrument or some other musical requirement.

David lamented about the decline of faithful believers. From his point of view, it seems there were no good people left. A culture replete with deceptive smooth talk, dishonesty, and fraud. This was so rampant that David indicts "everyone" as practicing it.

There are bible characters who were plunged into a godless culture. One of them is Lot[Gen 13:10-13]. Peter states, "for as that righteous man lived among [the wicked people of Sodom] day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard" (2 Pet 2:8). Even Paul has encouraged us to shine in a ‘crooked and perverse’ culture.[Phil 2:15] as light shines through in darkness that Jesus spoke about in Mat 5:16.

In verse 4, he prays for the Lord to silence these ‘arrogant big talkers’, who flatter and boast. These evil ones are bragging about their sins of oppressing and plundering the weak[v.5], thinking there will be no consequences. This is quite common nowadays at our social media platforms, is it not? There is no sense of accountability before God and man. They disregard the third commandment, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain" and ‘not bear false witness against a neighbor’.(see Ex 20) James is right indeed, when he says, "No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (Jas 3:8).

In the midst of decadent culture, David held to the truthfulness of God and His words. “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.”[v.6] The perfection and purity of God's Word is as metals [silver and gold] separated from impurities by melting. Purifying a metal, repeated seven times, do surely burn away most of the worthless material. Unlike lies and flattery in oppressing the poor and needy (v.2), the Lord's words are true and reliable. Jesus knew the value of God’s word. In His prayer, He did not ask us to be out from the world but for us to be sanctified by His words, for His words are true.[John 17:17]

Hence, David believed in the security of those who trust in Him and His words. He resolved, “Therefore, LORD, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation.”[v.7] Even though, wicked people are everywhere, as he said in v. 8;

‘On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.”

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Text: Psalms 11:1-7 (ESV)

In the LORD I take refuge;

how can you say to my soul,

“Flee like a bird to your mountain,

2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow;

they have fitted their arrow to the string

to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;

3 if the foundations are destroyed,

what can the righteous do?”

4 The LORD is in his holy temple;

the LORD's throne is in heaven;

his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.

5 The LORD tests the righteous,

but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;

fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the LORD is righteous;

he loves righteous deeds;

the upright shall behold his face.

THE LORD'S THRONE IS IN HEAVEN

Clearly, David was facing an impending danger, prompting and urging him to run away. The image is of panic and self-preservation. Whether he was told by someone or merely self-enhanced, he was tempted to react like a startled bird fleeing to a high place. Are we not like David in a lot of ways?

Is it not in a time of crisis, believers are confronted with two choices. To focus on their obstacles or on God? A lack of faith in God has caused Israel to wander for 40 years in the wilderness (Num 14:20–23). Similarly, this lack of faith in God has caused believers to wander away from Him (Heb 4:7–11).

When the enemy triumphs, David expressed his concern by saying,

“if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”[v.3]

He was Israel's king, so that if the enemy would succeed, the nation's very foundations would be destroyed. A proper system and order grounded in righteousness and justice of God, under a godly king, would crumble surely. When evil and chaos happen, what could the righteous do?

Of course, David held unto the truth that the “Lord is in his holy temple and His throne is in heavens” He knows everything. [v.4] God is sovereign. He is on top of everything.

However, God allows this threat as ‘tests for the righteous’ This is to prove the genuineness of their faith. Definitely, this is not to tempt them to sin (Jas 1:13; 1 Pet 1;7, 1 Cor 10:13). David's trust during troubles and God's response has strengthened his reliance on the Lord more (see Psa 3:4).

As God’s nature is just, He hates the wicked and the one who loves violence, He would avenge his enemies as Lord rained fire and sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah.[v.6] He indicates that these disasters as "the portion of their cup." Notedly, the cup of the Lord is often used in connection with His judgment of evildoers. Take for example in Revelation 14:10, God warns that whoever worships the beast and its image "also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger."

In a twist from fear to faith, David expresses his hope for God. “For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.’[v.7] God is judge yet He is loving. This is displayed in Christ. Because the Lord is righteous, He cannot allow the wicked to go unpunished. Nor will He allow those who are evil and sinful to be with Him in eternity. Our Redeemer Jesus was cursed for our sin [Gal 3:13] in order for us to be righteous and reconciled to God. [ 2 Cor 5:21]

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

God’s Word for Today

18  July 2023

12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand;

    forget not the afflicted.

13 Why does the wicked renounce God

    and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?

14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,

    that you may take it into your hands;

to you the helpless commits himself;

    you have been the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;

    call his wickedness to account till you find none.

16 The LORD is king forever and ever;

    the nations perish from his land.

17 O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;

    you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,

    so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

-Psa 10:12-18 ESV

THE HELPER OF THE FATHERLESS

The most common yet the hardest question to answer is’

‘Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?

    Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? [v.1]

Where is God in my sufferings? Why God, if He is good and loving, do allow these hardships in my life? David wasn’t exempted to express his anguish and dismay. He saw the wicked prosper. [see v 5-10]  Proudly, the wicked says, ‘I shall not be moved’ and “I shall not meet adversity’ and ‘“God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”. Cursing and deceit are in his mouth. This evil man lurked, ambushed, and seized the helpless. The helpless are crushed and sink down. They with their evil deeds seem to slip away from His judgments and sight [v.5] 

Yet, David hoped in God. He refused to be overwhelmed with his emotions. He prayed,

‘Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand;

    forget not the afflicted.

Why does the wicked renounce God

    and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? [v12,13]

He affirmed his faith that God sees and that He is ‘the helper to the fatherless’. He extolled that ‘God is king forever and ever.’ The nations ‘perish’  is a common feature of prophetic-predictive statements, as it happened already from God's timeless perspective. The Lord has heard the request of the humble and would vindicate the orphan and the oppressed so that nobody could touch them anymore.

In Psalm 23, David testifies that the Lord is his shepherd, even preserving him in the valley of the shadow of death. Thus, David fears no evil because the Lord is with him. Similarly in Heb 13:5, God has assured the believers that the Lord will never forsake them.

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast 

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify 

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast 

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio

#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday

God’s Word for Today

17 July 2023

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;

    I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

2 I will be glad and exult in you;

    I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back,

    they stumble and perish before your presence.

4 For you have maintained my just cause;

    you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish;

    you have blotted out their name forever and ever.

6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins;

    their cities you rooted out;

    the very memory of them has perished.

7 But the LORD sits enthroned forever;

    he has established his throne for justice,

8 and he judges the world with righteousness;

    he judges the peoples with uprightness.

9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,

    a stronghold in times of trouble.

10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,

    for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

-Psa 9:1-10 ESV

THE LORD SITS ENTHRONED FOREVER

Thankfulness and singing with gladness are results of David’s recounting to God, the ‘Most High’, and His wonderful deeds.[v.1,2] His enemies turned back, stumbled, perished, and are blotted forever. For example, in Exodus 17:14 records the Lord's words about Amalek after Joshua and his people defeated the Amalekites. The Lord said to Moses, "Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." Only that Sovereign God could utterly blot out, even the memory of sin. The apostle Peter’s message to the Jews gathered at Solomon's portico was to urge them to repent and turn back to the Lord so that their sins would be blotted out (Acts 3:19). 

David claims that God has ‘maintained his just cause’ to mean, God has vindicated him personally. Throughout history,  Satan and his minions have tried to destroy the people of Israel, but the Lord has turned them back just as He turned David's enemies back. Yes, God allowed Israel to suffer defeat at times because of their sin. However, they never faced annihilation. Conversely, ‘the enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.’[v.6] 

But, God lives forever on His throne. David exalts that God is, has been, and always will be the Supreme Authority over all of creation. Moreover, His rule reflects with righteousness and uprightness (v.8).

In Psalm 93:2 the psalmist expresses, "Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting." Psalm 106:48 proclaims, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting." And that from His heavenly throne, He "will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed [Jesus]; and of this, he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead" (Acts 17:31. Isa 9:6-7).

Consequently, David expresses his confidence to God’s help, saying;

‘The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,

    a stronghold in times of trouble.

10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,

    for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!

    Tell among the peoples his deeds!’[v.9-11]

Apparently, David’s motivation was more than for his ease and comfort but rather the that the glory of God might be manifest. Thus he exclaims,

‘Be gracious to me, O Lord!

    See my affliction from those who hate me,

    O you who lift me up from the gates of death,

14 that I may recount all your praises,

    that in the gates of the daughter of Zion

    I may rejoice in your salvation.’[v.13,14]

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast 

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify 

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast 

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday

#bookofPsalms

Text: Psalm 8:1-9

1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,

7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR NAME

It’s not difficult to see the focus on God’s greatness as the theme of this psalm. He opened and closed it with the same exultation unto God, ‘O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!’[ v.1,9]

As David viewed God's creation, he was overwhelmed by how wonderful, great, or exalted God is. In Psalm 19:1–6, David also attributed the creation with a similar revelation of God. In Genesis, the Lord instructed Abraham to look at the heavens and number the stars. [Gen 15:5] The word, "majestic" may be translated. "wonderful," "great," or "exalted." It’s tragic and a great perversion for corrupted man to worship the creation rather than the Creator. Thus, the apostle Paul indicated that those who fail to believe in God are without excuse. (Rom 1:22–23)

Though how strong and majestic God is, He could use infants and children to praise Him and shame the enemy. Jesus referred to this verse just after He cleansed the temple.[ see Mat 21:16). It’s unthinkable that those still being weaned can bring down the enemy, is it not? He chooses the weak to shame the strong[1 Cor 1:27]. In short, it is all about God so the instrument is immaterial.

Reflecting upon the greatness of God, David felt his nothingness, as every one of us should. He said,

“what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”[v.4] The "man" in this verse is actually the term ‘enos’ used to refer to mankind. Man is created lower than the angels yet He cares for them, even ‘crowned him with glory and honor”

His care for man is sown with the common grace that He gives. Everything else in creation is under his dominion… domesticated animals, even the wild and fishes in the oceans. Jesus even said,

“He [God the Father] makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.’[Matt 5:45]

Most importantly, the greatest blessing about this psalm is the act of compassion God did to become like us. This psalm is a Messianic psalm and is quoted 4 times in the New Testament.[1 Cor 15:57, Eph 1:22, Heb 2:6-10 and Mat 21:16] Jesus was born and lived as a man. The angels did not. And as fully human could He only serve as a sacrifice for humanity (Heb 2:11). On that cross, Jesus cried out in victory, "It is finished" (John 19:30). His death was sufficient payment for all time for the sins of humanity. Our salvation could never be purchased for anything less than His precious blood, and in nothing else (1 Pet 1:18–19). But, Jesus though his humility is exalted. [Phil 2:6-10] Even Isaiah has prophesied, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder…Of the increase of his government and of peace, there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and to uphold it."[Isa 9:6,7] And Paul writes Christ’s exaltation after rising from death, "For 'God has put all things in subjection under his [Jesus'] feet."[1 Cor 15:27]

Today, we should continue to be awed by the wonder of God’s creation and humiliation, should we not?

Text: Psalm 7:8-17

8 The LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.

9 Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous—you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!

10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.

11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.

12 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow;

13 he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts.

14 Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies.

15 He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made.

16 His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.

17 I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.

-Psa 7:8-17 ESV

GOD IS A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE

Relentlessly, David’s enemies were pursuing him as a lion. But his trust is the Lord, his refuge.[v.1] David declared his integrity. Should he has done evil toward others [v.3-6], he was willing to be chastened. He was so confident to even encourage it. Indeed, ‘the righteous are bold as a lion.’[Prov 28:1b]

He asked for God’s vindication only according to his righteousness and integrity. [v.6-8] God is a righteous judge. Having been convinced of his innocence, He looked unto God not as a ‘judge’ but as his ‘shield and savior’. He said, “ My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.’[v.10]

His unrepentant rebellious enemies do cause God to ‘whet their sword’…’ prepared for him his deadly weapons for the enemies’ own destruction. Their evil plot[ mischief, wickedness, falsehood] will return unto their own head. [v.12-16]

David’s gloom turned into gladness because of God’s righteousness. He resolved, “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.”[v.17]

Today, let’s take note that we may not have control over what others will do to us. But, we can choose to respond. Perhaps, God wants us to check the integrity of our hearts. Should we have not done anything wrong, we have God as our shield. He is the righteous judge to vindicate us. The Lord is on our side. The issue isn’t people attacking us but whether are we on the side of God, who would avenge us. He would turn their attacks unto themselves in due time.

Thus, let’s resolve with Paul, who says; ‘Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’[Rom 12:17-21]

Text: Psalms 6:1-10 (ESV)

1 O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,

nor discipline me in your wrath.

2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;

heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.

3 My soul also is greatly troubled.

But you, O LORD—how long?

4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;

save me for the sake of your steadfast love.

5 For in death there is no remembrance of you;

in Sheol who will give you praise?

6 I am weary with my moaning;

every night I flood my bed with tears;

I drench my couch with my weeping.

7 My eye wastes away because of grief;

it grows weak because of all my foes.

8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil,

for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.

9 The LORD has heard my plea;

the LORD accepts my prayer.

10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;

they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

CONFESSION AND CONFIDENCE

Undoubtedly, David has admitted his guilt and has been pleading for God’s mercies[v.1-3] He was deeply troubled. He acknowledges God’s wrath and hatred toward sin. But, he appeals to God as a father who deals with his weak child. [Prov 3:11,12]. His question ‘How long?’ is an expression implying grief, is it not? As sinners, like David, we can only look and hope unto the graciousness of God, not on His justice.

Indicative of his relationship with God, David's pleadings were based on God’s covenantal love – His lovingkindness. [v.4,5] He pleads for mercy upon his life for there is no opportunity to mention the Lord in Sheol[death]. Let’s not forget that our time isn’t perpetual. Death happens and we would lose opportunities to enjoy our relationship with him if we fail to recognize him as our Father now. Life is too short to indulge and wallow in an emotional whirlpool.

In v.6-7, David expressed his anguish before the Lord. Problems and challenges of life may take a toll to our health – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He said, “I am weary…I wet my bed with tears…I drench my couch with weeping…My eyes waste away and grow weary.” It is okay when we feel we are not okay before the Lord.

But, there is hope always in God. David affirmed his trust in God.[v.8-10] On a positive note, he looked not to the past only to what God has done but more to what God would do in the future. Let’s not rest on our past laurels and successes for our God is a covenant-keeping God. The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous. As Solomon said, “The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”[Prov 15:29]

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Text: Psalms 5:1-12 ESV

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD;

consider my groaning.

2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,

my King and my God,

for to you do I pray.

3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;

in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;

evil may not dwell with you.

5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;

you hate all evildoers.

6 You destroy those who speak lies;

the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,

will enter your house.

I will bow down toward your holy temple

in the fear of you.

8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness

because of my enemies;

make your way straight before me.

9 For there is no truth in their mouth;

their inmost self is destruction;

their throat is an open grave;

they flatter with their tongue.

10 Make them bear their guilt, O God;

let them fall by their own counsels;

because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,

for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may exult in you.

12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD;

you cover him with favor as with a shield.

EXPERIENCING GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE

In v.1-3, we notice that the degree of our relationship with God determines our confidence in prayer. David referred to God as ‘my God and my king’. And he enjoys his communion with him on a daily basis. He expressed,

“O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;

in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.”[v.3]

In v.4-7, moreover, David focused on God’s two attributes, His holiness, and fatherly love. God is opposed to all that is unholy[v4,5] Definitely, He doesn’t delight or take pleasure in wickedness and evil doesn’t reside in Him. No falsehood, deceit, and iniquity are found in Him.

But, David was motivated to draw near to God boldly – into His house of worship [temple] and Holy presence because of His abundant lovingkindness. This covenant love is ‘chesed’. God’s love is irresistible, isn’t it? We are attracted to go to God because of His unconditional love.[Rom 5:8] There is the reverential fear of David towards God as a result. He said,

“I will bow down toward your holy temple

in the fear of you.”[v.7b]

This led David to plead for God’s righteousness. Saying, ‘Lead me O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before me.”[v.8] There is a new desire to live righteous for those who have received the love of God, is it not? As David related the wickedness of his enemies [i.e. no truth in their mouth, their throat is an open grave], he has desire no vengeance unto them. But that they would bear their own guilt and fall to their own plans and devices. David needs not to soil his hands like what God did to Haman who fell to his own gallows when he planned to destroy the righteous Mordecai. We can trust that God is in control.

David concluded in v.11-12 with great confidence to experience God’s blessing in following the Lord. He will bless him and cover him with favor[grace] as with a shield[v.12] Against the backdrop of wickedness from his enemies, he was full of gladness and singing with joy!

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

God’s Word for Today

11 July 2023

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

    You have given me relief when I was in distress.

    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?

    How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;

    the LORD hears when I call to him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin;

    ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

5 Offer right sacrifices,

    and put your trust in the LORD.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?

    Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”

7 You have put more joy in my heart

    than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

    for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

-Psa 4:1-8  ESV

THE LORD IS MY RIGHTEOUSNESS

For David, God is the source of his righteousness. God is righteous and therefore He could never do anything wrong. This was a relief to his distress. Then,  David turns his attention to his wicked pursuers, asking them, "How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies?"[v.2]

David’s confidence is his being ‘set apart’ unto God. To be "set apart" for the Lord is to be seen differently from the ungodly. That, David is declared holy and his holiness is a gift from God. Today, this distinction exists between His people and unbelievers. Even, the apostle Paul writes, "The Lord knows those who are his,' and 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."[ 2 Tim 2:19]

Most likely, v.4 and 5 referred to David’s own men who were agitated toward David’s enemies. That those who trust in the Lord’s sovereign control are not to be controlled by their passion. As David expresses his trust, saying, "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"[Psa 27:1] The Hebrew translated "be angry" here literally means "to tremble, shake, quake, or be agitated." And, Paul, citing the Septuagint Greek translation of this Psalm, also refers to the idea of anger in Ephesians 4:26. 

Though outnumbered by their enemies the Lord is powerful. Thus, they should,

‘Offer right sacrifices,

    and put your trust in the LORD.’[v.5]

Indeed, many of his people say, 'Who will show us better times?' David could just hope, saying, ‘Let your face smile on us, LORD.’ Discouragement may drift our hearts towards despair, yet Rom 8:28 is always our encouragement as light at the end of a tunnel. 

David concluded with the assurance of ‘joy and peace’ in the Lord. Not because their resources and circumstances became better but because the Lord is their righteousness. Sleep and rest become sweet even if the threat of the enemy is real.[v.7,8]

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast 

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify 

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast 

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio

#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday

#bookofPsalms