Daily Bible Study

Tweet

Day 172 Psalm 40:1 (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. 6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou know. 10 I have not hidden thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. 11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of my head: therefore, my heart fails me. 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. 14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together who seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame who wish me evil. 15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. 16 Let all those who seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. 17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. Have you ever wished evil on someone? Have you wished they would get what’s coming to them? David set up his cause by showing what God did for him and his faithfulness to Him. He then asked God to deal with those who wanted to destroy him. As Christians, you might feel justified in asking God to condemn everyone who comes against you. You might cite David’s example in asking God to deal with his enemies. Yet, when you consider your life and faithfulness to God, are you justified? Do you deserve the justice you seek? Or could someone be asking God to give you your just reward for your actions? David was a man after God’s own heart. He credited God with every victory. He praised Him for all He did in his life. Was David perfect? No. You know he wasn’t. Yet, David was faithful. He trusted God to come through for him when his enemies surrounded him. Jesus told the people their righteousness needed to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees to enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (KJV) In other words, Jesus told the people they needed to do more than an outward show of faith and trust. The Pharisees were good at public prayers, daily sacrifices, fasting, and doing what the law required. Everything they did was for show. They didn’t have the inward desire to live their lives in holiness to God. Jesus told the people they needed to have the inward purity and trust that only comes from a true relationship with Him. David had such a relationship with God. God wants the same relationship with you. When you do, God will hear you when you plead for justice from your enemies. Let’s pray: Father, draw me close to You. Let my life be one of faith and trust from the heart, not for show, but out of love for You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 30 November 2021 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay