Confidence Misplaced
Opening Prayer
You have so much to be thankful for. Spend a moment giving God your sincere thanks now.
Read Psalm 30:1-12
[1] A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David. I will exalt you, LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. [2] LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. [3] You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. [4] Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. [5] For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. [6] When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” [7] LORD, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. [8] To you, LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: [9] “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? [10] Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help.” [11] You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, [12] that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What reasons does the psalmist give for praising the Lord?This is a psalm for anyone who has ever been in serious, life-threatening danger, whether from enemies or, perhaps, an illness. The writer has stared death in the face (3), pleading with God to spare his life (8). With deliverance comes wonderful rejoicing and some of the most memorable images in the Bible (5,11). But what had brought him to the edge of death? Why had God allowed it? Right in the middle of the psalm, we see the heart of the issue: “I said in my prosperity, ‘I shall never be moved'” (6 ESV). Pride is putting confidence in ourselves ahead of confidence in God. It’s so easy to do when things are going well. But it’s a recipe for trouble, as David discovered. The wisdom books of the Hebrew Bible sound many warnings against pride: “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God” (Psa. 10:4); “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). As we’ll read this week, God sometimes chooses to discipline us out of his great love for us. David sees God’s mercy close up here, as he is delivered from pride.
Apply
Ask God to search your heart today for traces of pride that cause you to misplace your confidence.
Closing prayer
Lord, I know all I have is a gift from You. Keep me from confidence in anyone or anything but You.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.