Read Psalm
25-27 & Acts
20:17-38
To discover:
As you read note what David is
relying on in God.
To ponder:
Psalm
25 is an acrostic. That means each verse begins with a letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. This reflects its focus on instruction. David lifts up his soul,
suggesting the idea of drawing close to God in heaven. And the reason is to
hold to him in trust. David prays he would not be put to “shame” by being
defeated by his enemies. This would shame him in the sense of discrediting his
reliance on God, but also his rightful rule as God’s king. Yet David is
confident that none who hope in God will be shamed, in contrast with the
“treacherous” (25v1-3). It seems that this desire not to be shamed is the
reason that David prays for God to instruct him (25v4-5) and show him mercy
(25v6-7), confident that he will receive these things because he hopes in the
LORD as God, and as his Saviour.
It is because God forgives and so
refrains from punishing us for our sin, and because he teaches us how to live
righteously, that we will not be put to shame in the judgement, but vindicated
as his on the last day. And David recognizes these things stem from God’s
goodness and covenant love (25v8-10). They are certain because they flow from
his faithful promises to those who love and obey him. And so David can pray for
God to forgive him “for the sake of his name” and so reputation as one who
keeps his promises. Moreover, he can declare that those who “fear” God will
receive instruction, prosperity in the land (as Deut 28-30) and deliverance
(25v11-15). Likewise, we can be sure God will open our eyes to his truth,
deliver us from all evil and grant us his eternal inheritance.
Returning to a consideration of his
enemies, David finishes praying for God’s grace, hinting that his situation may
be God’s punishment for sin (22v16-21, as with Absalom). And on the basis of
God’s covenant, he asks for rescue from his troubles, anguish and affliction
according to God’s integrity and uprightness – ie. his commitment to his
promises. This is the grounds for our plea for forgiveness when we sin too. But
for David, God’s deliverance is linked to his redeeming the nation from her
troubles as well (25v22, again, as with Absalom usurping the throne). So God’s
rescue of Christ from death effects a rescue for his people.
Psalm 26 continues the theme of not
being put to shame, but from the perspective of being vindicated as blameless.
The previous psalm, and the call for mercy (26v11) confirms that David doesn’t
consider himself totally without fault. His point is that he has consistently
trusted God in a general sense, and so can call on God to “examine” his heart
(motives) and mind (thoughts) as confirmation. David keeps God’s love and truth
constantly in mind, he avoids the wicked, and he spends time at the tabernacle
and around the altar (perhaps making sacrifices), washing like a priest and
praising God. The picture is of someone whose greatest joy is God’s presence
and pleasure. In the light of this David prays his “soul” would not be taken
like those of the bloodthirsty. And because he is confident that he stands
securely, he declares he will praise God “in the great assembly.” These words
(26v9-12) may simply refer to hope of continuing to proclaim God’s deeds to the
assembly of Israel.
Alternatively, they may look to the heavenly assembly to come. They are
certainly fulfilled in Christ, who is vindicated as righteous by his
resurrection and ascension into heaven. For us however, the psalm is a prayer
for salvation on the basis of a sincere faith and love of God. Such people long
for his presence and pleasure, and can be confident they will be declaring his
praise forever.
A similar desire for God is
expressed in Psalm 27. It begins with confidence that David need not fear any
amount of people because the LORD is his light and salvation. “Light” here may
refer to the hope David has in God amidst darkness. He expresses that above all
else he desires to be in the tabernacle seeking God (ie. seeking his help,
27v8-9) and gazing on his beauty, which is probably to contemplate his
character and will. The reason this is David’s priority, is that he knows God
will then keep him safe and give him victory, leading him to offer sacrifices
and sing songs with joy (27v5-6). So David asks God not to forsake him, but to
help him and teach him how to respond to his enemies in righteousness
(27v7-12), perhaps because they were looking for an opportunity to witness
against him (27v12). The psalm ends with confidence than in time God will act
in his goodness, and it urges Israelites to be prepared to wait also. As we
face opposition or other hardship, Psalm 27 can therefore frame our own request
for God’s help and wisdom on how to respond, whilst urging us to patience,
trusting God’s timing, and knowing his deliverance may only come when he takes
us to glory.
Praying it home:
Praise God for our certain hope of
dwelling with him forever, and forever marvelling at the beauty of his
character and deeds. Pray for God’s wisdom on how to respond in an upright
manner to any difficulty you are facing.
Thinking
further:
None today.
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