Psalm 21 – 23
Wow what a difference between these three Psalms where one is about thanks and joy, the other is about abandonment and the last is about God’s guidance. Verse 21:2 emphasizes David’s thanks for the gifts God has given him:
You have given him his heart’s desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips.
I know for a fact not of us can say this when you consider our “desires” and wants. I think there is a delay on God’s giving, because we actually need a throttle to control our hearts. Could you imagine if all our immediate desires were given to us? It would be a mess, we see this often where we get what we want to later find out how destructive it actually is in our lives. I think when God does this, He is giving us a reminder that we need to develop our desires before actually getting them.
Interesting how a Psalm of David rejoicing for God’s love and provision is followed so quickly by one of despair. This Psalm starts right out with Verse 22:1 and David’s questions to God:
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
These words should look familiar to you and the ones Jesus spoke on the cross. See these were two men, one close to God and one actually of God, who at the time wondered where God was in their lives. So when you say “God is not here” you have some heavy hitters who have said the same words.
In verse 22:9, David is one of the few who have compared our relationship to God as with one of a mother:
Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.
As young believers we need to start at God’s breasts and get milk or simple spiritual foods to grow. As we mature we move to more solid food and get our spiritual nourishment from that. As we God and explore God gives us more to grow with Him and through Him.
You know even when David feels God has abandoned him, verse 22:22 -23 shows us that he will still praise God:
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
For some reason, Psalm 23 is one of the most read at funerals. It talks about walking through the “shadow of death” so many feel it’s the soul passing into eternity. Verse 23:1 is something we all need to live:
The Lord is my Shepard; I shall not want.
If we have total faith in God this should be true, no matter where we are in life. We should have faith that God will provide. Now does this mean we just relax and think we need to do nothing? Nope! The reason is because doing that will eventually lead us to homelessness. We need to function and live within society, but have faith God will meet our needs and desires as we work.
Remember “I will fear no evil” should be your mantra! Respect it, but with God all things are possible!! Have faith and roll with life!