6/5/12 Yes, blogs are a cheap form of
self-publishing. Yes, most blogs are read by the bloggers themselves. Yes, most
of my blogs are God’s way of teaching me as I separate and simplify His truths.
But, today this blog’s for you----a blog that might turn you on your ear. Just
hope you can still “hear”. Actually this blog has been “just for me” these
last few days so I can now share the
Lord's truths which I gleaned.
Psalm 5 is David’s individual lament;
- Asking God to hear his prayer,
- Acknowledging God’s hatred of sin and evil
people,
- Requesting guidance,
- Securing God’s protection and blessing.
Not
exactly a “sweet” read with my morning cuppa. But God….used it to show me an
appropriate response to suffering.
Suffering is everywhere. It’s easy to
spot. Globally, it makes the evening news as it beams across one's flat screens.
Individually, it takes the sparkling beam out of one’s eyes. In this psalm, the
arrogant ones, the ones who are living a life of lies and deceit appear to
cause David’s suffering. Suffering can come when one trusts in mankind. Yet,
all too often a man’s words cannot be trusted because words are an overflow of
the heart and a man’s heart is filled with destruction. (v.9) David further
describes the wicked ones who are causing the suffering as dangerous, with
deceit and flattery on their tongues, saying what they think one wants to hear
to attain their own goals ----all signs of rebelliousness against God. David
even prays that the intrigues of the wicked will be their downfall and they
will be caught in their own traps. How intense must have been David’s suffering
to bring such petitions before the Lord.
Now that I’ve “rained on your life’s
parade”, don’t stop reading here & don’t do as I did and eat 3 large slices
of fresh baked pull-apart cheese bread slathered in real butter (is there any
other kind) We all assuage pain and suffering in different ways. Some medicate
or take to “drink”, I take to “butter” even if my suffering is mainly over someone else’s pain. As warm
and comforting and distracting as “butter” (or your choice of poison) appears
to be, that’s NOT the answer. Rather reread verses 1-3.
These first three verses include
David’s response to suffering. Even in the midst of suffering, He still seeks
to be led by the Lord’s righteousness. He approaches the Lord in a worshipful
way, with mind and heart engaged, asking Him to pay attention/ to consider his
(David’s) sighing/lament/groaning/meditation. (all words offered in parallel
versions of verse 1)
Resolve to spend time in the word
with the Lord as David did. That’s a needed discipline, which David alluded to
twice, (“in the morning”, v.3) as the time when he articulates His condition. My
words, v 1. Voice of my cry, v 2. My voice, v 3. Then, David waited expectantly. Eagerly watching and waiting
to see what the Lord would do on His behalf.
Ah, that one would follow David’s
method:
- Disciplined time in the Lord’s Presence,
- Willingness to articulate again and
again his needs as he/she suffers,
- Expectancy of the Lord’s answer whether it’s
relief or assurance of God’s Presence,
- Acceptance of God as the only Refuge who
will be both a protector and a defense
David sums up well for us as he finds
rejoicing and singing of joy for those who love the name of the Lord---for the
LORD will bless the godly and surround them with His love even in the midst of
suffering.
If this blog is for you…..blessed are
you when you take refuge in the Lord and allow Him to surround you with His
love. (v.12)
