...
Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill (Psalm 43:3).
Verse 5 of this short Psalm repeats for the third time the refrain of
Psalm 42 “Why are you cast down, O my soul ....” In
this way, the two Psalms are linked, and the circumstances (the exile
in Babylon) have not changed. Have you ever found yourself in a
trial that seems to go on, and on forever? The Psalmist would well
be able to sympathize with you! Last day we were talking about our
need to practice, practice, practice in order to rise above the
circumstance. Part of what I want to say this morning, is that it is
one thing to get the victory, it's quite another to keep it! In
particular when God does not come through for us in our timing, there
is this tendency to feel abandoned by Him “Why have You cast me
off” (verse 2)?
It
seems that even Jesus had these feeling, for on the cross He cried
out “My God, my God why have You forsaken me” (Matthew 27:46)? I
have certainly known both the initial certainty of deliverance,
together with the despair of God taking what for me is too much time
for Him to come through for me. At such times I have need both His
light and His truth. The Lord had promised that the exile would end
in seventy years (Jeremiah 29:10). It must have seemed like a
lifetime :)! Well it was a lifetime, but how were they to live in
the meantime? Jeremiah had sent word to the exiles in Babylon
saying, “Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat
their fruit. Take wives ... etc.” (Jeremiah 29:4-6). In other
words, in the midst of this ongoing trial, they are to live life to
the full “dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness” (Psalm
37:3b). If we are to trust and hope in the Lord we need Truth for
this. For example (v 3a), we need to know He is faithful. We need to
know that He is actively working all things out for our good (Romans
8:28).
I
also need His light, His illumination, His leading (verse 3). For
example, sometimes I need to get out of His way, and let Him work.
At other times He may call me to act. He has told me that if I admit
that I lack wisdom and ask Him for it, He will grant it (James 1:5).
He knows I need reassurance over and over. Many times He sends me
back to promises He has given, either in His word, or through a
friend, a prophetic word, or a circumstance. What I must not do, it
to withdraw from life, and/or settle for anything less than all He
has for me. He has told me “ask and it shall be given, knock and
the door shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7). And He has promised that
when we have suffered for a “little while,” He will strengthen
and settle me (1 Peter 5:10). I will dwell in the holy hill of His
presence, and declare that He is my exceeding joy (verse 4).
Father,
please grant us grace to be obedient in the long run. Help us to
value and enjoy the journey, knowing You are faithful and will
accomplished what You have declared (Jeremiah 29:10). In Jesus Name
Amen
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