"Rise Up, O Lord" March 4 Readings: Psalm 7, 27, 31, 34, 52

 

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2022

This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but I have divided it so that we will spend half the year in the OT, and half the year in the NT. 

Bible Readings:    Psalm 7, 27, 31, 34, 52

Background:   

We are beginning to read Psalms interspersed into the historical readings. Today, we read five Psalms - all of which are believed to be written during this difficult time in David's life when he was running from Saul who sought to kill him. He calls out to God for refuge and strength.

Psalm 27 will always be a special scripture to me. In a time of great pain and struggle in my ministry back in 1993, I read that verse as part of my Through the Bible reading on a Saturday morning. The last two verses (13-14) say this:

I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart be courageous.
Wait for the Lord.

God spoke comfort to me through that Scripture that day, reminding me that the hard times wouldn't last and that the goodness of God would overcome the hardships I was going through. The next day at Sunday's services, God broke through and a revival came to our little church in Cedar Rapids.

All of these Psalms remind us that the cliche is not right. "Tough times never last - tough people do."
No! Tough times may last but it is our big and powerful God who carries us through by his mighty power. These Psalms remind us of this.

Daily Devotional: Rise Up, O Lord 

"This nation is a mess. We have to do something about it."
"What he did was terrible. You can't let him get away with it."

We live in a world of sin, where sinful people do terrible things and sometimes get away with it. Most people totally ignore any loyalty to the will and ways of God and have embraced a subjective morality - each of us decides for ourselves what is right and wrong. And a lot of people want to do some very bad things! And people get hurt. We are seeing these principles played out on the world stage in the worst of ways. 

So, what are we to do about it? Something inside of us wants to right all the wrongs, settle all the scores, and put things back the way they are supposed to be. And that is not completely wrong. As men and women of God, we ought to be his tools in restoring justice and bringing all things under obedience to Christ.

Psalm 7 reminds us of something important. Ultimately, it is not my job to restore the world to its rightful place. There is a God in heaven, a just and righteous God, one to whom we can look when things go wrong.

David was a man who was often wronged and viciously attacked, by enemies, by former friends, even by family. He spent much of his life in mortal danger because people wanted to kill him. But when they "tear me like a lion, ripping me apart," David knew exactly what to do. He poured out his heart and soul to God, and looked to him for salvation, for rescue.

He knew something very important, which he asserted in Psalm 7:6-8.

Rise up, Lord, in Your anger; lift Yourself up against the fury of my adversaries; awake for me; You have ordained a judgment. Let the assembly of peoples gather around You; take Your seat on high over it. The Lord judges the peoples; vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity.

God is the friend of the oppressed and harassed. He is the one who judges and establishes justice on this earth. David did not try to avenge himself against his enemies or punish those who attacked him. Instead, he called out to the God of perfect justice to protect and sustain him. 

You may face some real challenges in your life. Times can be hard. People may be cruel. Circumstances can go awry. Suffering may come. But God is both powerful and faithful. Turn to him. Call out to him. He will lift you up and sustain you. 

Lord, thank you that whatever happens to me, you are my rock and my fortress, the one who delivers and sustains me. Let me not seek to be the avenger of justice, but to trust you as God over all. You are powerful. You are just. You are good. I trust in you!

Consider God's Word:

Are you going through difficult times? Are you fretting over the difficult times in the world? 

Remember that you can trust God in these times to sustain you. Seek refuge in him.