June 16th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Quiet Confidence

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Opening Prayer

Merciful Father, You are the source of all forgiveness and grace. Inspire me to be Your Kingdom person today.

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.

Meditate

“In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isa. 30:15). That’s a promise worth receiving!

Think Further

During the monarchy in ancient Israel, the king was a pivotal figure. In this psalm we have a celebration of what God has done through the king in giving victory over his enemies and bringing peace to the nation. 

This psalm falls into two halves. In the first half (1-6), the people are celebrating, looking back to what God has done for the king. We know from 1 and 2 Samuel that God did give victory to David over his enemies, so the people look back and thank God for his goodness to the king. God has given the king life (4), glory, splendor and majesty (5). Of course, these last three attributes only truly belong to God, but they indicate that the king reflects God’s glory. The second half of the psalm (7-13) looks forward to what God will do. The king will continue to experience victory over his enemies. Those who oppress the Lord’s people will be defeated and the Lord’s fire will consume them (9). The victory will be complete. In the center lie the reasons for the past victories and for confidence in the future (7): the king does not trust in himself or military power but in God; the king is trusting God and he will not be shaken. The psalmist expresses quiet confidence in God’s unfailing love.

We can also see how much this psalm is fulfilled in Jesus. We can look back to the victory he achieved over sin and death. We can look forward to the victory we know will be his. I have read to the end of the book, and Jesus wins! In this present moment, we can have quiet confidence in God’s unfailing love for us. Because of this we will not be shaken.

Apply

Do you have quiet confidence in God’s unfailing love for you? How is that obvious? Believe his promise and know that, in him, you will not be shaken (8).

Closing prayer

Sovereign Lord, in a world of constant change, upheaval, and chaos, I need Your stabilizing presence. Center me in Your love and release Your peace within me.

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