SINGING IN THE RAIN
Opening Prayer
Lord, I turn to You today. I need You.
Read Psalm 5
For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.
1 Listen to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people are not welcome.
5 The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
6 you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.
8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make your way straight before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongues they tell lies.
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
When you face troubles, where does your mind go? Do you go inward? Do you turn to God?Are you a morning person? Do you get up and get stuck into the day? This psalm suggests that David is up at the crack of dawn. He is up crying out to God because he is aware of the challenges that face him. He is being pursued and needs help (1–3).
David is aware of external pressures and the evil present in the world, and he shouts this out to God in song. I don’t think many of these lyrics would make it into many songs these days. There is an honesty and a rawness (4–10).
David is reminded of God’s love and protection over his people (11,12). He reminds us to take our refuge in God. We are not to run to false gods but to run to the love of our heavenly Father. How do we know we are loved? God has demonstrated his mercy in Jesus and we may know the truth of this love by his Spirit.
Apply
Read Mark 4:35–41. Anytime you are feeling overwhelmed by the storms around you, repeat Jesus’ words to yourself: “Peace, be still.” And let your heart rest in the knowledge that Jesus is in control.
Closing prayer
Father, it is so easy to lose sight of Your love when challenges come. Thank You for reminding me that we can sing in the storms.
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.