Psalm 138
Over and over and over again in his life as king of Israel, David had learned and relearned one thing: GOD IS FAITHFUL. When God makes a promise, He always fulfills it. There could be no exceptions.
And David had been in many tight situations. He'd often been persecuted and he'd often been in danger of death, but he knew one thing: God had promised that he, David, was going to be king over Israel – and king he would be, come what may. He couldn't die; He couldn't be captured; He couldn't be harmed in any permanent way – because of the promise of God.
That's one of the chief reasons David often praised Jehovah. He praised Him for His absolute faithfulness. He said, "I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You." In other words, he'd be only too glad to go out, stand in front of all the idols of the nations, and there praise only Jehovah, because He alone, among them all, was faithful to His promises.
The reality of God was so bright in his heart that even when he was far distant from Jerusalem, he would still "worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your Name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth." Why? He says, "For You have magnified Your Word above all Your name – in the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul!" In other words, God, in all David's experience, had magnified His Word, His promise to David, above any other aspect of His Character. He proved it over and over again by answering David's prayer exactly according to His promises.
In fact, says David, not only I, but "all the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord, when they hear the Word of Your mouth!" Simply put, ANYONE would praise the Lord if they knew how faithful He was! They too, he says, would "sing of the ways of the Lord!"
He closes with a beautiful testimony to his faithful God. He says, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands."
Do you trust Him? Is His Word the last word for you? Do you believe that He'll always be with you, that He'll "never leave you nor forsake you?" Do you trust Him to undertake for you in EVERY situation? He hasn't changed from David's day. He's still absolutely faithful to every promise He's ever made – and you can count on it!
QuoteDo you trust Him? Is His Word the last word for you? Do you believe that He'll always be with you, that He'll "never leave you nor forsake you?" Do you trust Him to undertake for you in EVERY situation? He hasn't changed from David's day. He's still absolutely faithful to every promise He's ever made – and you can count on it!
Some good questions, there Alan. Oh that we might realize that He's our Guide, our present Help and is with us all the time.
QuoteSome good questions, there Alan. Oh that we might realize that He's our Guide, our present Help and is with us all the time.
And Oh that we would, daily, hourly be more aware of His sovereign activity in our lives!