On Shaky Ground
Opening Prayer
God, there have been times when I was confused about what You were doing. Help me to remember how You showed Your faithfulness.
Read Psalm 60
[1] For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us; you have been angry-now restore us! [2] You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking. [3] You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger. [4] But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. [5] Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered. [6] God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth. [7] Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter. [8] Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” [9] Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? [10] Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us and no longer go out with our armies? [11] Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. [12] With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies. 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
Have you ever felt like God has abandoned you? What should you do in these times? If this is David speaking in this psalm then he’s doing so on behalf of all the people, becausethings seem to be going badly for them all, in their struggles with their regional neighbors.There are two sections where David cries out to God. You can find them in verses 1–3 and 9,10.The situation seems to be so bad that it’s as if even the ground under their feet is shaking. Thesesections end with heartfelt prayers for the Lord to bring about real change: prayers that bothrecognize the inadequacy of human help and trust in the Lord’s love for his people.Both of these prayers are based on the promise at the heart of the psalm, in verses 6–8.“Everything and everyone,” says God, “is mine.” David clearly takes them as God’s promise onwhich he and the people can rely. That’s why, despite its anxiety, the psalm ends with suchconfidence in verse 12. Can you say those words as confidently as David did?If this is David speaking in this psalm then he’s doing so on behalf of all the people, because things seem to be going badly for them all, in their struggles with their regional neighbors. There are two sections where David cries out to God. You can find them in verses 1–3 and 9,10. The situation seems to be so bad that it’s as if even the ground under their feet is shaking. These
sections end with heartfelt prayers for the Lord to bring about real change: prayers that both recognize the inadequacy of human help and trust in the Lord’s love for his people. Both of these prayers are based on the promise at the heart of the psalm, in verses 6–8.
“Everything and everyone,” says God, “is mine.” David clearly takes them as God’s promise on which he and the people can rely. That’s why, despite its anxiety, the psalm ends with such confidence in verse 12. Can you say those words as confidently as David did?
Apply
Too often we let circumstances dictate how we feel. Which of the promises of God’s Word mean the most to you?
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