Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 7-9
Devotional Thought:
The theme of Psalm 7 is God vindicating His servants from the malice of their enemies. Cush, one of King Saul’s flatterers, is lying about David to win credibility and approval from King Saul. David is saddened and runs to God for comfort and protection. “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.” (vs. 1-2) David gives to us a tremendous example of how we should approach God in time of trouble. First, David judges his own heart honestly. He is willing to take responsibility for anything he may have contributed to the problem. If he deserves consequences he is willing for God to allow them even if the end result is death. However, we know that the accusations of Cush were lies of a secret agenda to promote himself in his own eyes and in the eyes of others, especially King Saul. Secondly, David asks God to judge his heart. “The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.” (vs. 8-9) David wants to know if his heart is lying to him or if he is honestly assessing his own desire, actions, and innocence. He desires for God to be the judge of his heart and make sure it is righteous. If I be righteous, David states, then please stop those who are spreading wickedness. David did not try to take matters into his own hands, but rather turned Saul and his scheming men over to the Lord his God. He was completely secure in letting God handle those who were out to destroy him and his reputation “honor.” Thirdly, David asks God to judge others in righteousness. David was confident in God’s omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. He knew God would do what was right. “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” (vs. 11) David did not need to express anger toward those who were threatening him, and he knew God did not need him to help recompense the situation. He was completely satisfied to let God handle those who had evil intent toward him. God’s anger toward them was sufficient and David could love, serve, and go on with life as God had given to him. How sad it is when people have such a lack of faith in God to fix things that they feel like they need to handle everything themselves. Fourth, David realized that sin brings its own judgment. “He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.” (vs. 15-16) Sin has a way of creating its own consequences. Many times when people blame God for the consequences they are experiencing, they are blaming the wrong thing. God may be allowing sin to produce its normal consequences, but it is sin that is the cause. Many bitter people have suffered the consequences that bitterness itself brings that defiles the person and then spills over to loved ones who have been influenced by that bitterness. Tom Farrell defines bitterness as “someone drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” What an example of David’s realization that sin itself will bring consequences. The worst thing that happened to Saul was when God gave him the freedom to make his own choices and pursue his own passions, because it lead ultimately to his final defeat. Though these men only lived a few short years and passed into obscurity, David became, quite possibly, the greatest king to ever sit on a throne. God’s way is perfect! May we let Him have His way with us.
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to trust you when things are not going the way I think is best. Please help me run to the rock that is higher than I.
• Lord, thank you for being my refuge, high tower, strength, buckler, shield, and protector. I am grateful that I can run to you in time of trouble.
• Lord, please help me to hate sin like you do, and remember that sin always brings its own consequences.