Praise at Odd Times - Psalms 7,27,31,34 & 52

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%207,27,31,34,52&version=NIV

It is such a pleasure to step into the Psalms today. For me, it feels like a reward as we’ve persevered in our journey through some challenging books – and it’s a great encouragement to press on because there is so much that God wants us to know about his story.

The beautiful thing about reading through the entire bible is that one walks away with insights gained from seeing the bigger picture - God's story in it's completeness up until this time. I like the way our reading plan is set up, because it helps us see the larger picture. The Psalms we read are written by David in the midst of the circumstances we read about yesterday. David is running for His life. He has done no wrong, yet armies pursue him. Reading these Psalms in the light of David's story elevates his words to such a level that displays a faith I now yearn for. David is praising God in his storm. It is a faith that makes me pray almost frightening prayers like, "Lord, I want to know you fully – to have a faith like David’s, and if it means I have to suffer to experience you more fully, I am willing.”

Here’s what I believe – we never fully grasp God’s compassion and unfailing love until we experience him in our lives as we walk through fire. That is why people who have gone through a trial say they would go through it again because their faith was so greatly increased. God is so purposeful, friends, in how he works in our lives. I read a word today from ‘Jesus Lives’ by Sarah Young, and I think it’s such a good description of what God was doing in David’s life during this time and what he does in you life and mine in the midst of trials. I’d like to share these words with you:

“Though I bring grief, I will show compassion. No matter what trials you are enduring, you can count on My love and My compassion – neither of which will ever fail. I can bring good out of everything I allow in your life, but much of what Id do is far beyond your understanding. My children often misinterpret My ways with them. When adversity strikes, they tend to feel as if I am displeased with them. They don’t realize that My most devoted followers are especially targeted in spiritual warfare. The devil and his demonic underlings delight in tormenting those who live close to Me. When you are suffering and your troubles seem endless, remember I am tenderly present in your afflictions. Instead of lamenting the way things are, search for Me in the wreckage of adversity. You will not fail to find me when you search for me with all your heart (Jer. 29:13-14).

I want you to experience more fully the greatness of My overflowing Love. As you open yourself to My Compassionate Presence, this Love flows into you more freely. Like new wine, My Love expands within you, increasing this capacity for me. Another way to expand this capacity is to let My Love flow from you to others. I am so pleased when you do this that I flood you with more of My living Presence. As you continue this blessed adventure with Me, I fill you with ever-increasing volumes of unfailing Love.”

As you read today, picture David in the following situations and read his the words written by him in the light of the circumstances he’s facing:

Psalm 7 – He is feeling from Cush, the Benjamite – a supporter of Saul.
Psalm 27 – Still feeling for his life, David writes this confident prayer.
Psalm 31 – This is a prayer for deliverance written by David when he is confronted by a
conspiracy so powerful and open that all his friends have abandoned him.
Psalm 34 – Written by David at the time he pretended to be insane before Ahimelech.
Psalm 52 – Written when Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: “David has
gone to the house of Ahimelech.

These are some of my favorite Psalms – such an incredible example of confidant trust that God will deliver – a confident reliance on the Lord and His covenant of unfailing love. An expression of faith that waits patiently for that which is sure, though not yet seen.

My favorite verses in these Psalms is Psalm 27:13-14. It is a promise that God has given to me and that I stand on in my prayers as I wait for God to move in my life. It’s what I cling to as I wait for things my heart desires. It is a promise that I got to watch God fulfill this week, so if you’ll allow me, I’d love to share.

For the last seven years I have wanted a new job. For the last seven years I have applied for jobs, interviewed for jobs, and watched God close doors that looked like they would certainly open. Yes, I was blessed to have a job, but it was challenging, at times exhausting, and sometimes even dangerous. And yet God said no.

For the last seven years my faith has grown exponentially as I’ve waited – not by choice, but by circumstance. I have watched God provide. I have watched his exercise justice. I have been humbled and privileged as he used me in the lives of the students and teachers I work with. However, don’t get me wrong. It was tough, and my faith wasn’t always what it is now. It often failed. It often questioned God. It grew stronger as I prayed. For at least the last three years a new job has been part of my prayer requests daily. But this morning I stopped praying that prayer. I almost missed praying this prayer – it had become an old friend to me. I stopped because God delivered. And when he did, he did it with much glory.

See, he didn’t just open a door, he did it supernaturally. He put so many things in place as I went through this process that it was evident that God was doing this work. The last thing he did was answer a prayer about salary that seemed impossible. My friends – God works with purpose and through the umbrella of unfailing love and faithfulness. If you wait on him, you will get to see a beautiful display of his unfailing love and faithfulness in your life. David did. I have. And so it will be for you also. Be encouraged, be willing to wait and stand on this promise:

“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, take heart and wait for the Lord.” - Psalm 27:13-14

Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels