2005-05-22 - Now Hear This!

Psalm 5, Part 1

There have certainly been times over the years, just prior to the original writing of this message, when things were going less than ideally in my life. It was during this time that I experienced the reality of a prayer life that seemed to control me more that I controlled it.

I'm sure, considering the tests many of you have been put through, that you too are familiar with the experience of crying out in pain to the Lord - prayers that are inarticulate groans, reflections of the pain being felt, more than some kind of profound theological exercise. When our church finally closed, I had some serious discussions with God regarding my assessment of His fairness. I was in substantial pain. I felt I had given my all, and He owed me.

Have you ever felt like that? But I also realized that this was an emotional response, and not consistent with what I knew to be true about God or life. It is during these times that we fall on our faces. All we express is pain and frustration. But that very expression can be a testimony to the depth of our faith. It is God to whom we are crying, because we know He loves us and can do something about our pain.

While there may even be anger in our cry, nevertheless there is an awareness of the mercy of God as well. And it is that mercy that we long for. As Job's wife said to her husband,

"Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die." Let us say with Job, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job 2:9-10

One of the greatest blessings we have as Christians is access to God - and the confidence that we have His ear and His love. And it seems the author of Psalm 5 also has this same awareness, even though he lives in an Old Testament economy, while we live in the New. In this lesson, we will look at his prayer and see what we can draw from it that will benefit us.

PSALM 5

¹ For the director; for the flutes. A psalm of David.
² Give ear to my words, O Yahweh, attend to my utterance.
³ Give heed to the sound of my cry,
 my King and my God;
 For to you am I praying, O Yahweh.
⁴ At dawn, hear my voice,
 at dawn I will draw up my case,
 for you will I watch.

⁵ A no-good delights in evil,
 but you - no evil man can be your guest.
⁶ Let no boasters stand before you.
 I hate all evildoers.
⁷ destroy those who tell lies!
 The man of idols and figurines
 Yahweh detests.
⁸ But thorough your great love
 I will enter your house;
 I will worship toward your holy temple,
 among those who fear you, O Yahweh.

⁹ Lead me into your meadow.
 Because of my rivals,
 Your way make level before me.
¹⁰ For there is nothing firm in his mouth,
 his belly is an engulfing chasm;
 A grave wide-open is their throat,
 with their tongue, they bring death.
¹¹ Make them perish, O God,
 let them fall because of their schemes.
 For their numerous crimes
 hurl them down,
 Since they have challenged you.

¹² While all who seek refuge in you will rejoice,
 forever singing with joy;
 And you will shelter them,
 that they who love your name
 may exult in you.
¹³ For you will bless the just man yourself, O Yahweh,
 as with a shield
 you will surround him with your favor.

To be continued.

Comments or Question?
Geoff

GKragen@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org