Daily Archives: March 31, 2020

Psalm 49

            Why should I fear?

            In these days of Covid-19, economic devastation, and social uncertainty fear seems to be the best response. Throughout God’s Word we are reminded to not be afraid.

            The Psalmist identifies at least two scenarios that we would likely understand fear as a normal response. When enemies surround us, when our enemies knowingly take advantage of us we might reasonably be afraid; when others around us become rich and are honored by our world we might reasonably fear what they might do to us.

            Yet in both cases we are given counsel to not be afraid. The Psalmist offers several suggestions for battling this fear. First, no one lives forever. Period. Only God is the source of life. Nothing else can create life. Second, honor and wealth are short lived. In light of eternity the wealth and honor that is so sought after today is gone tomorrow.

Psalm 50

            Make no mistake, God will speak. Right now nearly 75% of all Americans are living under some sort of ‘shelter-in-place’ directive. People are encouraged to stay at home except for absolutely essential tasks. Businesses are closed. Restaurants can only offer takeout. Gatherings of any size are discouraged. Churches have moved to online services. People in my age range are more vulnerable than others and are strongly encouraged to avoid being out of our homes.

            Is this God’s judgment? Is this how God speaks? The Bible makes it clear that God has spoken by allowing national calamities to occur. The Bible points to future events that are clearly evidence of God’s message (see Revelation 4-19).

            Whether the current crisis is a definitive judgment of God we can say with certainty: God speaks. During these days when many people are at home, not working at their normal occupations let us learn to listen. What is God saying? How is God revealing Himself in your life? The psalm ends with a wonderful promise:

“Whoever sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and whoever orders his conduct, I will show him the salvation of God.”” (Psalm 50:23, HCSB)

Psalm 51

            None of us can honestly claim to be free of sin. An Old Testament scholar of the first century made this abundantly clear when he wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, HCSB) Honestly acknowledging sin means placing ourselves in a place to receive mercy and forgiveness from God.

            Pray this with the Psalmist:

“God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:10–12, HCSB)

Psalm 52

            Words hurt. As kids we recited the rhyme –

Sticks and stones may break my bones

But words will never break me.

We all know that in spite of how often we repeat this rhyme words do hurt. All of us have been hurt by words. Most of us have used words to hurt others. David, prior to being acknowledged as the king, was running for his life. Saul, the reigning king, had made numerous attempts to kill David. One man, a foreigner loyal to Saul, happened to see David as he fled. His words to Saul led the king and his army on another attempt to locate David and kill him, ending what Saul understood to be a threat to his reign.

            Did David hide from the threat? Yes. Did David run in fear? At times he did. Yet in all his experiences one promise sustained him:

“In the presence of Your faithful people, I will put my hope in Your name, for it is good.” (Psalm 52:9, HCSB)

We all know someone who is super-talented. We often express envy and wonder why God didn’t gift us with just a small amount of the talent that person possesses. Perhaps Jews living in the era of the Psalms felt that way about the ‘sons of Korah.’ A number of the psalms are attributed specifically to this family. Why would one family have all that ability?

            Whatever reason we might assign, Psalm 48 is a remarkable prayer of praise. It begins with a declaration of God’s magnificence and ends with an expression of an identification of God’s eternal nature. “Great is the LORD…this God is our God forever and ever.”
            Celebrating the place God had chosen for His name to dwell (aka Jerusalem), the psalmist recalls the grandeur of the city. The greatness of the city is not measured by its people, produce, or political stature. Rather, the greatness of the city is because God makes His presence known. Though armies may gather, enemies may seek to bring devastation, the presence of God guarantees stability and peace.

            What the psalmist really celebrates, though, is that God’s presence is known. Yes, Zion is the hill on which God resides, however, He is not confined to the hill called Mt Zion. The praise of God will resound to all the earth. Zion no longer stands as it did under the reign of David and Solomon. But, don’t be afraid. What God has begun He always finishes.