Monday, February 4, 2008
PSALM Lesson I Will Never Forget...

Today, I will be skipping psalm 30 and blog about psalm 35 instead as it has ministered to me in a very personal way.

Psalm 35 is a psalm that David wrote and it shows how David calls to the Lord for help in perhaps the time where he felt that he was in his lowest point in life.

In v1-3, David starts the psalm by declaring that the Lord will be his salvation. The Lord will be the shield and buckler, the spear and javelin against his enemies.
In v4-9, David prays to the Lord that he will indeed be saved from the plots of his enemies. He will then rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.
In v10, David exclaims that there is no one like the Lord, for the Lord will rescue His people from the afflictions that they are facing.
In v11-16, David continues to ask the Lord to rescue Him from the chains of troubles that his enemies have been giving him.
In v18, David will thank and praise the Lord in the great assembly for the Lord’s refuge has been sufficient for him.
In v19-25, David ask that the Lord be not silent and let his enemies think that they have been victorious in their schemes.
There is a contrast in v26 and 27. While David says in v26 that those who gloat over his distress and exalt themselves be put to shame and disgrace, David goes on to say in v27 that may those who delight in his vindication shout for joy and gladness and always exalt the Lord.
In v28, David ends the psalm by saying that his tongue will speak of the Lord’s righteousness and of His praises all day long.

Now how does this psalm relate to me then? Well, some may know that I have been going through one of the toughest times I ever faced in my life. My classmates have been cold towards me for the past 5 months or so due to reasons that I myself cannot really clarify. I felt that I was in the same situation that David was facing.

For the past few weeks, I have been praying for the Lord’s protection and strength. It has not been easy for me but I knew that when I look to Him, I will indeed rejoice and be glad for He will indeed rescue me from the afflictions that I was facing with. I will always call upon the name of the Lord just as how David persistently asks the Lord to rescue Him from his troubles.

I have often given thanks to the Lord and praise Him for his provision but not in a bigger setting such as during cluster meetings. I do not really like standing in front of a big crowd of people though as my mind often go blank but I pray that God will indeed give me the courage and strength as well as teach me in this area just as how David would do it.

Even though they may think that they have murdered me, I will continue to trust in the Lord that He will indeed turn this situation around. My heart is not to condemn them of their foolishness but to really bless them and hope that they come to know the Lord. Though there are times that I have not been able to tame my tongue and just lash it all out for someone to listen to my troubles, God has always reminded me that I have to always look to Him for it is only through Him that my troubles are released, my chains are broken.
I ask for the Lord to forgive me for the moments where I had not been able to hold my tongue. My heart desires to serve Him and I pray that God will indeed help me tame my tongue so that I will indeed speak of His righteousness and praises all day long.

Know that in every situation that God puts you in; be sure that God is actually teaching you something valuable. For my case, it would be to look to Him always in times of trouble.

So what is God teaching you today?

Labels: Devotion, PSALM devotions