Our Only Hope
Opening Prayer
Loving Lord God, strengthen my faith and direct my life as I read and think on Your Word today.
Read Psalm 60:1-12
[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
What is the cry and hope of David in this psalm?Christians hesitate to blame God for hard times. However, it may be that doing so shows more faith than to “excuse” God as uninvolved or lacking power. Here, a whole community laments. Their defenses broken and their land devastated, they can only conclude that this is God’s doing. In response they call out to the same God who has “shaken the land” (1-3). Christians know that God suffers with us and for us, but we still say that “from him and through him and for him are all things” (Rom. 11:36). So the people cry to the God who has rejected them (1,10) but who remains their only hope. They recall his covenant and commitment to their land (5-8; see also Psa. 108:6-13). Verse 9 may represent the voice of Israel’s military leader. He, too, can only turn to God (10-12). Even in dire circumstances, the people of God refuse to let go of the One who has attacked them but whose blessing is all that matters. Like a banner in the midst of battle (4), he is the One to whom they rally and to whom they cling.
Apply
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Go to God with your burdens.
Closing prayer
Lord, I know I can come to You whatever situation I face. I know You are there and You care.
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