Are the Promises in the Psalms for Me?

As noted in my previous post, I love the Psalms!  That love has grown greatly over the last fifteen years.  If I was given the choice of keeping only one book from all of the Bible, I think it would have to be the Psalms that I would choose.  The Gospel is all over its pages!  God's perfection and man's depravity are both displayed and explained as clearly as anywhere in all of Scripture.  My heart resonates so strongly with David's and the other writers' in their struggle with sin, doubt, fluctuating emotions...  The Psalms, probably more than any other Bible passages, serve to shape my own prayers.

The promises throughout the Psalms are amazing!  We are told God is our Rock, our Strength, Fortress, Deliverer, Shield, our Stronghold!  We are told we can "call upon The Lord who is worthy to be praised and we are saved from our enemies!"  We are told that "he rescued me because he delighted in me!"  And He has "equipped me with strength for the battle." (all from Psalm 18)  At least 127 times in the Psalms, more than any other book in the Bible, we are told about and assured of God's steadfast love.

I love the words of the Psalms! I want them to be for me, not just for David!  I have thought they are, and passages like Romans 4:16 (I share the faith of Abraham) and Galatians 3:29 help to confirm that thinking: "And if you are Christ 's, then you are Abraham' s offspring, heirs according to promise."  Also, many of the promises made to the psalmists are given again to New Testament believers.  But today I was referred to these words in Isaiah, and I was encouraged afresh!

"Come, EVERYONE WHO THIRSTS, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.  Incline your ear and come to me; hear that your soul may live; and I WILL MAKE WITH YOU (everyone who thirsts) AN EVERLASTING COVENANT, MY STEADFAST, SURE LOVE FOR DAVID."  -Isaiah 55:1-3

Everyone who thirsts!  That sure includes me!!!  I will continue reading the Psalms with increasing assurance and delight!

And I will also read praying that God makes all of my family, immediate and extended, very thirsty!

Getting Through Turbulent Times

"Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to You at a time when You may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach Him."  -Psalm 32:6

According to Strongs...
rush = a deluge
reach = to touch; it seems to have an intimate connotation

For me, the deluge is so often my emotions.  Now emotions are wonderful things, and life would be dull indeed without them, but they are horrendous bosses!  Yet there are times when boss they do!  They take charge, and even though I purposely fight, I cannot seem to touch God.  Try as I might, I simply cannot feel Him.  Circumstances and life seem very dark and without hope.

The Psalmist had apparently experienced something similar, whether his "great waters" were his emotions or something else that kept him from touching his God.  Having read the Psalms many times, I have no doubt that his emotions were often a factor.

Psalms 8 tells us that God has established verbal praise to still the enemy and the avenger (NIV), but there are times when even shouting His praises at the top of our lungs doesn't seem to calm the wild waters.

What do we do?  What is the answer?

First of all, take the Psalmist's advice and offer to God prayer at a time when He may be found!!  Be still and know that He is God during the calm times.  "Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His Presence continually!  Remember His wondrous works that He has done, His miracles and the judgments He uttered..." (Psalms 105:4)  Soak in everything possible from His Word and quiet times in His Presence when the sun is shining and the way is smooth.  And then...

HANG ON!!

The rush of great waters will pass!  (Every so often I find that having a good old-fashioned cry helps to calm the turbulence.)  Circumstances may not change, but hope will be restored and the waters will be calmed.  God has not moved!  He is once again reachable.

"You are a hiding place for me; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with shouts of deliverance!"  That is verse 7, and it follows immediately after verse 6!

I love the Psalms!!!

WORLD | Guardrails to protect us, not restrict us | Andrée Seu Peterson | Aug. 15, 2013

WORLD | Guardrails to protect us, not restrict us | Andrée Seu Peterson | Aug. 15, 2013