High Achiever
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, in this quiet moment, I bow before You to give You my praise and worship. You alone are worthy.
Read Psalm 21:1-13
[1] For the director of music. A psalm of David. The king rejoices in your strength, LORD. How great is his joy in the victories you give! [2] You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. [3] You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. [4] He asked you for life, and you gave it to him- length of days, for ever and ever. [5] Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. [6] Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. [7] For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken. [8] Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. [9] When you appear for battle, you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace. The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath, and his fire will consume them. [10] You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. [11] Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed. [12] You will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow. [13] Be exalted in your strength, LORD; we will sing and praise your might. 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
How would you describe the theme of this psalm?Are you ever tempted to become proud of your achievements? David can teach us something through this psalm. David was not exactly a couch potato. Bold and courageous, he fought and won many victories. Wise and productive, he unified his kingdom, brought prosperity to his people and wrote many psalms. In this psalm, he reveals his heart’s attitude towards his achievements: they were all given to him by God. His privileged position had been reached not through his hard work, integrity and good looks, but through God. He was king because God had made him so (3). His health and life were gifts (4). The battles he had won had been given him, too (5). Does this mean we should expect a guarantee of only good times in our lives? No. David refers to enemies of God who were his enemies, too (8,10). David’s enemies harmed him, causing him trouble throughout his life. David was tempted and challenged in many ways. He had his share of bad days. Yet he stayed grounded by the foundational truth that held him through all life’s storms: God loved him unfailingly (7) and intended good for him (6).
Apply
Take time to reflect on God’s unfailing love for you. Pray for anyone you know who needs to know this truth.
Closing prayer
Lord, no matter what I face this week, may I stay grounded and secure in Your unfailing love for me.
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