He has Shown Himself
Opening Prayer
As you pray, ask God to inform and guide your thoughts as you enjoy reading this joyful psalm.
Read Psalm 48:1-14
[1] A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. [2] Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. [3] God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. [4] When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, [5] they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror. [6] Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor. [7] You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind. [8] As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever. [9] Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. [10] Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. [11] Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. [12] Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, [13] consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. [14] For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Why is Mt. Zion so secure and rejoicing?God is great (1). God has shown himself (3). This God is our God (14). These are confident words. When things are going well (4-7) we are, hopefully, ready to give God the glory and rejoice in him. When our guide is leading us in pleasant places it is easy to be trusting and obedient. But the Bible warns us many times of being careful to stay with our guide (Deut. 8:1). The nation of Israel seemed to wander away from God whenever things started going well for them (e.g. Judg. 2:12). Even King Solomon, who built the temple, abandoned God (1 Kings 11:4) and thereby lost God’s blessing. Leaving our guide in the good times is a problem. Abandoning him when we face troubles, doubts and fears is just as bad. This is when we need to build on the trust we should have learned in the good times. As you walk around “the city of your life,” consider what God has done for you. Meditate on his unfailing love (9). Can you say, “This God is our God … even to the end” (14)? Share your fears and joys with him, too.
Apply
What story of the goodness of your Guide could you share with someone from the next generation (13)? Be ready.
Closing prayer
Lord God, You are my good Guide. Help me to follow You faithfully each day, despite the temptations not to.
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