Short Reflection from Psalms 73-89

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (AG) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟟𝟛:𝟙-𝟚, 𝟚𝟠

"Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart! But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, My steps had almost slipped."

Psalm 73 has become one of my favorite Psalms in the Bible. It's about the goodness of God that actually looks like the badness of God. 😃

The Psalmist knew that God is good but to him, God seemed so mean and cruel. I had those feelings many times over the years. This psalm narrated how those feelings came over him and how he overcame them. He also discovered the goodness of God in a far better and deeper way in v28, which is also the conclusion of this Psalm.

"But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works."

It begins and ends with the theme of the goodness of God.

God, helping you get through the exam, get a job, a career, answering your prayers, prospering you will indeed make us feel that God is good. But the goodness of God is much more than all these things. In fact, even without all these things, we can still experience the goodness of God.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟟𝟜:𝟙

"O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?"

Who has not felt the rejection of God? They say, "The world, your friends, your family members will disappoint you but Jesus will not disappoint you."

Nah! The psalmist and saints of the past had been into a lot of troubles and disappointments. But in the words of apostle Paul, "but not like those without hope" because we know we are His sheep of His pasture.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟟𝟝:𝟟

"But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another."

Let's learn to stay calm and happy because of who God is.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟟𝟞:𝟟

"You, even You, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry?"

It’s not safe to make anyone angry. Even kids when they are made angry react dangerously.

I am terrified when I let my loved one get angry, annoyed, or upset.

But who can face an angry God of the universe?

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟟𝟟:𝟛

"When I remember God, then I am disturbed; When I sigh, then my spirit grows faint. Selah."

Have you ever encountered such situation? I think so! It's in the Bible too.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟟𝟠:𝟞-𝟟

"That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments,"

Responsibility for teaching future generations about the greatness of God! That's more important and basic than getting a matric certificate.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟟𝟡:𝟙𝟛

"So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture Will give thanks to You forever; To all generations we will tell of Your praise."

What a God-centred prayer! Asking God for His name's sake and His glory!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟠𝟘:𝟜

"O LORD God of hosts, How long will You be angry with the prayer of Your people?"

Have you ever failed like your prayers are in vain? This psalm should encourage us that such trials happen in the life of a saint of God.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟠𝟙:𝟙𝟙-𝟙𝟚

"But My people did not listen to My voice, And Israel did not obey Me. "So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk in their own devices."

Disobedience leads to stubbornness to damnation.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟠𝟚:𝟙

"God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers."

Since God is the ultimate Judge it's good to commit everything to God.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟠𝟛:𝟙𝟛

"O my God, make them like the whirling dust, Like chaff before the wind."

A verse to remember when wicked schemes/plans/ people are coming up.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟠𝟜:𝟙𝟙

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly."

The goodness of God towards His people. Now, I have got to believe.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟠𝟝:𝟙𝟚

"Indeed, the LORD will give what is good, And our land will yield its produce."

I know God is good but used to wonder whether God has been good enough to me. "Enough" for me is God granting me whatever my heart sincerely craves.

Psalms 73 and 84 and even this v12 have lifted me up from the pit of doubt — God has been good to me. And He shall only give what is only good.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟠𝟞:𝟝, 𝟙𝟟

"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You."

"Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me."

Our prayers reflect our beliefs. Who does not want to see the goodness of God in his life? It is to believe God is good and whatever He does is good and for our own good.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟠𝟟:𝟚

"The LORD loves the gates of Zion More than all the other dwelling places of Jacob."

God's love expressed in human terminology. Even Apostle John introduced himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved as if he was most favored by Christ. The fact is we all should feel like that. That I am most beloved by God.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟠𝟠:𝟙

"O LORD, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You."

The Scripture has given us enough examples of unceasing prayer. Not to give up. To trust God in the midst of trials and sufferings. Yes, even when help is out of sight.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟠𝟡:𝟛𝟛

"But I will not break off My lovingkindness from him, Nor deal falsely in My faithfulness."

The Faithfulness of God and the Lovingkindness of God is greater than any sin I can ever commit or think of. Not a license to live carelessly but to live confidently.

Short Reflection from Psalm 42-72

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (AG) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟜𝟚:𝟛

"My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, 'Where is your God?'"

Do we cry much before the Lord? We hardly cry, do we? Even when we happened to cry it was not before God.

A man of God would often cry because he will see his own sins, the sins of others, the consequences of sins around him.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟜𝟛:𝟛

"O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places."

We can't walk alone. We aren't able. We aren't that strong or that smart. We have to ask God to help us always!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟜𝟜:𝟙

"O God, we have heard with our ears, Our fathers have told us The work that You did in their days, In the days of old."

Have you been feeling like the sons of Korah, hearing and reading the mighty works of God for those who had put their trust in Him and nothing significant has happened to you yet?

This Psalm recalls the greatness of God and asks God to let them experience His goodness again.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟜𝟝:𝟟

"You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows."

Do you want to be favored by God? What does a man/woman of God do? They loved righteousness. Hey, btw they not only love righteousness but they hate wickedness. If your love for Jesus has not made you hate for sin, you still have not known the grace of God.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟜𝟞:𝟚-𝟛

"Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah."

What a Psalm of confidence, hope, and trust in God! Not superficial, not manipulative, but faith in God!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟜𝟟:𝟠

"God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne."

Not the Presidents or Prime Ministers or Kings or Queens are the ultimate rulers. God reigns above them all. And He is holy!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟜𝟠:𝟙

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain."

God is great. So, He should be praised greatly too. And sure, not just in Zion or Jerusalem, but also in all the churches especially this Sunday. I think we have just done that in our church today! 👍

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟜𝟡:𝟙𝟜

"As sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the upright shall rule over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol to consume So that they have no habitation."

God is our shepherd, but death is the shepherd of wicked people. Hmm! Interesting description!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟝𝟘:𝟙𝟘

"For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills."

God owns all the animals in the jungles, all the wild animals. He is rich. He owns all the gold hidden somewhere. He can just provide us should we really need them. Let's put our trust in God.

 

'ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟝𝟙:𝟙𝟟

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."

We might not have silver or gold but we do have heart and spirit. It is not a holy heart or anything lofty but a broken heart. That we can bring to God.

Confession before God. Crying before God. Oh! How often it needs to be done!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟝𝟚:𝟠

"But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever."

Trusting God is a supernatural skill but something all believers are endowed with.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟝𝟛:𝟙

"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God,' They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good."

When we don't acknowledge God, when we don't trust God, we are behaving like an atheist, who btw is a fool according to the Scripture.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟝𝟜:𝟜

"Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul."

David always preached to himself regarding God when he is in trouble. We ought to recall the attributes of God and meditate upon them.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟝𝟝:𝟚

"Give heed to me and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted,"

Are you distracted, restless, and under pressure? Try reading Psalm 55 👍🙏

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟝𝟞:𝟜

"In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?"

When we are afraid, let's recall this verse. The fear of God should make us live confidently.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟝𝟟:𝟞

"They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah."

David, beloved by God and many people of his kingdom, was also hated and hunted by many. Let's not be surprised when God seems so far and we are in great trouble.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟝𝟠:𝟙𝟙

"And men will say, 'Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely there is a God who judges on earth!'"

Not just Christians but everyone will see that God not only rewards but punishes too. Both serve as motivation. There's no neutral thing: either rewards or punishment.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟝𝟡:𝟙𝟙

"Do not slay them, or my people will forget; Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield."

Indeed, everyone will glorify God willingly or unwillingly. David desired to glorify God even in the punishment of his enemies. He didn't want them to die off; He wanted people to see that there's God in heaven! They can repent of their wickedness and turn to God and glorify God. After all, what is evil? It will remain evil until it is transformed.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟞𝟘:𝟙𝟘:𝟙𝟙

"Have not You Yourself, O God, rejected us? And will You not go forth with our armies, O God? O give us help against the adversary, For deliverance by man is in vain."

Greater the trouble, greater the pressure, greater the fear, greater must be our prayer too. We trust in God, not in man!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟞𝟙:𝟜

"Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah."

Sometimes, we resolve with "I will" or "I shall"

Other times, our prayer is "Let me" "Allow me". It could be a request or an expression of desire.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟞𝟚:𝟙𝟘-𝟙𝟙

"Do not trust in oppression And do not vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. Once God has spoken; Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God;"

Not to trust in illegal and corrupt means. It's God who supplies the needs!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟞𝟛:𝟝

"My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips."

Let's learn to be satisfied in God! 👍

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟞𝟜:𝟙𝟘

"The righteous man will be glad in the LORD and will take refuge in Him; And all the upright in heart will glory."

Again and again the Psalms tell the people of God to be glad in the Lord.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟞𝟝:𝟜

"How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You To dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple."

It's God who has brought us to the church — the universal church and the visible church. Let's thank God for letting us find ourselves in the church on Sunday.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟞𝟞:𝟝

"Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men."

We need to invite people to worship God. We need to let them experience the grace of God. They need it. God demands it.

Would you invite your friends to come to church this Sunday?

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟞𝟟:𝟝

"Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You."

We do need to desire like the psalmist for people to praise God. Then, we need to let them see the wondrous work of God, especially the great redemption Jesus has made for us, sinners!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟞𝟠:𝟙𝟡

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Selah."

Indeed, God's goodness surpasses our weaknesses. Blessed be our God!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟞𝟡:𝟞

"May those who wait for You not be ashamed through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; May those who seek You not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel,"

I feel like I can bear the suffering of life. But I hate to see my mentee and those under my watch bearing the shame for my suffering.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟟𝟘:𝟜

"Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, 'Let God be magnified.'"

It's my desire too that those who love God should enjoy life more than anyone, not just spiritually, but materially by means of contentment or legacy.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟟𝟙:𝟚𝟙

"May You increase my greatness And turn to comfort me."

The psalmist asks God to exalt him so that he can continue to declare the superior life of trusting God over the worldly living.

Everyone ought to confirm that God is alive, active, and around us.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟟𝟚:𝟙

"Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king's son."

We must learn to pray for public leaders like this Psalm. They need the fear of God.