Rev. Don Campbell
Psalms 6, 8-10, 14, 16,19, 21
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, April 22, 2019
“WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH”
The eight psalms in today’s reading may be divided according to theme, with five on one side of Psalm 16 and two on the other. The first five revolve around pain and suffering: David is greatly troubled (6:3). David wonders why God even takes note of man (8:4). He implores God to look upon his affliction and be gracious to him (9:13). David boldly asks, “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (10:1). The tone changes in Psalm 19, as David extols God’s creation and God’s law. In Psalm 21 David invites all to sing and praise God’s power (v.13).
If we follow David’s course of action in Psalm 16, we can be assured of sharing the blessings he enjoyed. First, David took refuge in God’s presence (vv.1-2). Second, David took refuge in God’s people, saying, “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight” (v.3). Third, David took refuge in God’s counsel: “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me” (v.7).
As a result of his taking refuge in God, David’s cup overflowed: “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot” (v5). We are reminded of another word from David: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
David also found security: “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken….For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption” (v.8,10). We are reminded of the words of the Good Shepherd: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:27-30).
Third, David received counsel and guidance from the Lord: “I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me” (v.7). An incident in the life of Jesus may be considered: “The Jews therefore marveled, saying, ‘How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?’ So Jesus answered them, ‘My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood’ (John 7:15-18). If we are willing to hear, Jesus is willing to teach.
When the going gets tough in life, as it sometimes does, we turn to God and gain the victory.
CONNECTIONS
1. In the heat of the night, David’s conscience could be silenced, and he committed adultery with Bathsheba. In the still of the night, his heart spoke, convicting him of sin. What are some of the things David said about his guilt (Psalm 51)?
2. When we have stilled our conscience, sinned against God, and are then convicted of sin, how does Psalm 32 help us?
