Today and Forever: A Narrative Coloring Book, Out NOW!
Psalm 68 (KJV) 1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. 2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice…
This psalm continues the theme of universal reverence and praise to God. All peoples along with all nature join together in recognition of God’s bountiful blessings on everything. The first verse uses the pronoun “us,” which lets the listener know that this message is being sent out to everyone—it is all-inclusive.
God help me to know that I can be a witness to others, bringing them into the knowledge of you and welcoming them to join me and all believers into your kingdom. Our grateful praise for all your blessings can lift you up on this earth now and continue for all eternity in heaven.
Psalm 66 is a jubilant call to all the nations around the earth to join with Israel in praise of the one true God. Although Israel was God’s chosen people, they did not begrudge others to learn, worship and serve Jehovah.
There are two days out of the year which I love attending Sunday church service. I know that on these days, for sure, the church will be filled with people, so I had better be sure to arrive early to ensure I get a good seat. These two dates are Easter and the Sunday before Christmas. On these special days, all come to celebrate the birth and resurrection of Jesus.
This Psalm can either be spoken, like a poem, or sung. No matter the format, all the praise will appropriately be given to God. David leads us into this Psalm as if we are all gathered in Zion, awaiting the grand arrival of our God. Imagine the atmosphere in Zion as all are united with baited breath for God’s appearance.
The abundant blessings of the Lord are substantial and satisfying. “Thy paths drop fatness” (65:11). The little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks. The valleys are covered over with corn. Imagine acres and acres of this wonderful provision from God for His people. They rejoice and sing.
In Psalm 64, even as David is praying to God for protection and deliverance from his deceitful enemies, he emphasizes that the outcome, or the ultimate answer to his prayer will be something more: that all will come to see the mighty and powerful God.
So many times, my prayers to God have focused on the trials and tribulations of life. I cry out to Him for help for so many things which are spiritual attacks on myself or those I love. I know that God hears my voice and he is concerned about all my troubles. However, in Psalm 64, David reminds me that while of course I want blessings from the Lord, ultimately my prayer is that through my suffering and through His miracle-working power that all will see God’s glory, power and might. I pray that my testimony will share what God has done for me. I want the glory, honor and praise to all go to Him. Amen.
David wrote this song while he was in the desert wilderness, hiding from Saul. I imagine the harsh conditions he endured; the intense heat, the unbearable thirst and the desperate hunger. I expected to hear David crying out to the Lord for help with all these struggles. To my surprise and pleasure, I discovered that David instead hungered and thirsted after God.
This psalm illustrates the difference between being carnal minded, focusing on the flesh, and being spiritually minded, focusing on the goodness and blessings of God. This is certainly not easy to do when we are bombarded daily with the cares and duties challenging us. Lord, please help me to keep my mind stayed on you so you can keep me in perfect peace. Let my soul hunger and thirst after your righteousness.
In Psalm 62, the tone of this Psalm is one of quiet contemplative reverence to God. I imagine David setting himself aside from all others and going to a quiet place alone, perhaps for an hour or more.
Several years ago, I was introduced to a spiritual practice called soaking prayer. Soaking prayer is a way to meditate alone or with others. In a quiet place, usually guided by someone who assists you in bringing your mind to a place of silence before God.
David starts out by crying to the Lord a lot. And when he cries out to the Lord, he’s not calling out thinking he’s not going to get an answer. When I think about what David just shared with us, I consider: what does he want us to learn from this psalm? To me, it says that when you are down and out. When you just don’t know where to turn. When you are feeling overwhelmed by life and stress, grief, whatever you are going through: Be still and know that God is God. Reflect and think about what He has brought you through in the past.
How do you teach someone how to trust in God and keep the faith when facing troubled times? When it seems all hope is lost, how can one find the courage to endure and persevere? In Psalm 60, David shares a valuable lesson to follow during those challenging times.
I live in a world today where I am surrounded by frightening news of wars, diseases and economic turmoil. If I dwell on what I see and hear, I can be overwhelmed with feelings of helplessness. But, like David, I want to look to Jesus. He knows what is going on. God said He is our very present help in times of trouble.
