I always feel so encouraged when I read David’s words of faithfulness. Like in today’s passage when he writes, “Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path,…” (Psalm 27:11). Twice he says, “Wait on the Lord.” (v. 14). It’s an important reminder especially when we’re suffering. God will “strengthen your heart.” (v. 14).
I love reading David’s Psalms especially because they’re like a window into his heart. David had his good days and bad. He was obedient to God, except when he wasn’t. He had periods of his life that were ideal and at other times, he suffered greatly. Through it all, he was faithful about turning to his Father in heaven for direction or to ask for forgiveness when he acted on his impulses.
What I love the most are the Psalms where he begins by crying out to God, either asking “why?” or complaining of his situation (like I know I do at times). However, by the end of the Psalm, he turns his cries into praises to God. How often do we praise God when we’re hurting?
It’s when David is at his lowest that he seems to realize how much he needs God. I think sometimes God uses misfortune to remind us of that. We get caught up in our lives and think we’re making time for God by listening to an audio bible on the way to work and saying a quick prayer before bed. Both of those are fine, but we need to do better. God deserves our full attention. He deserves to be first and foremost in our lives, not just Someone we turn to when things are going badly, although He’s there for us during those times. We should be aware of His constant presence and include Him always through the good and the bad; praising His Holy name.
Bible Verse of the Day
Teach me Your way, O Lord,
Psalm 27:11-14 NKJV
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Pray
Please join me this week in praying for the victims of the tornadoes that devastated six states this past weekend. Let’s pray for their healing and restoration. Pray also that they will seek comfort in Jesus Christ and that unbelievers will come to know Him through this experience. Let’s also pray that communities and families come together to help and love one another in a way that will be a blessing to the victims. Pray that the missing people are found.
