8 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Psalm 109:21-24 (CSB): “But you, Lord, my Lord, deal kindly with me for our name’s sake; because your faithful love is good, rescue me. For I am suffering and needy; my heart is wounded within me. I fade away like a lengthening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust. My knees are weak from fasting, and my body is emaciated.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
I cannot adequately express how much I love the book of Psalms. If we are ever tempted to put the men and women of the Bible on a pedestal, the book of Psalms encourages us to take them back off. The book of Psalms reveals the honest elation and dark struggles of the Old Testament worshippers. It shows the men and women of the Bible to be real – just like us.
When I read the Psalms, I can relate to them. My heart often feels the same way. And knowing that one of the Psalmists, David, was “a man after (God’s) own heart” (Acts 13:22), allows me to continue feeling loved and accepted by the Lord even in the midst of my heart’s turmoil.
When we look at the four verses that I have chosen for today, we once again hear the Psalmist acknowledging that his world is upside down. He’s anxious. He’s fearful. He is losing hope.
Have you ever felt that way? Of course you have.
So, what does the Psalmist do when he feels like that? He calls out to the Lord in passionate, heart-felt prayer.
Psalm 109:21 (CSB): “But you, Lord, my Lord, deal kindly with me for your name’s sake; because your faithful love is good, rescue me.”
As we take a careful look at the previous verse, we realize that there are two reasons that the Psalmist believes that God will rescue him.
First, the Psalmist pleads for help “for your name’s sake.”
The Lord’s name is on the line. Our God desires for the peoples of the world to see His power and glory and be drawn to Him. Yet, He has chosen that they come to understand who He is and what He is like as they observe His followers.
The Psalmist, in our verses for today, implied that if folks looked at his current, pitiful condition, they might not be drawn to his God. So, the Psalmist asked God to rescue him, to come to his aid so that people would see that God is real and loves His people.
There are times when God’s Name is honored when He rescues His people from their troubles. But it is also true that God’s Name is often honored when His people are not delivered from their troubles but are given what they need so that they can stand courageously in those struggles. But, regardless, the point is clear. God’s Name is on the line.
Second, the Psalmist pleads for help “because your faithful love is good.”
When troubles surround us, we may be tempted to think that the Lord doesn’t love us. Not so with the Psalmist. He pled with the Lord, based upon the Lord’s faithful love for him, that he would be rescued from his troubles.
Friend, absolutely nothing can separate you from God’s love (Romans 8:31-39). No matter how you feel, God loves you so much that He willingly sent His Son from Heaven to earth to pay your sin debt (John 3:16) so that you could spend eternity with Him. Rest in that unconditional love that He has for you.
So, as we look at the words of our verses for today, realize that there are two reasons that you can plead with God to take you out of your troubles. He may hear and answer.
But, also realize that it may be His will to leave you in those troubles and to empower You to stand courageously for His Name’s sake as you bask in His unconditional love for You.
Just pray, ask God for what you desire, trust Him to answer according to His own will, and look forward to Heaven when all of this world’s troubles will be a distant memory.
* * * * * * * * * *
Lord Jesus, thank You for the book of Psalms. Help me to learn more about praying as I read through it. I want my prayers to be real and vibrant and answered. But, regardless of what You do with each of my prayers, I trust You and bask in Your infinite love for me. I can’t wait until I get to spend eternity enjoying Your glory. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 