“You who seek God, let your hearts revive.” – Psalm 69:32 {ESV}
Psalm 69 and 91 have been great friends to me of late. The 91st Psalm has reminded me of the awesome commitment of God to His own. I’ve been reminded that He is suited for timely rescue and able to be leaned upon heavily. These inspired truths will help us keep our heads about us when life offers great challenge. Psalm 91 reminds me how to be strong.
Psalm 69 is different and equally helpful; this great passage circumvents bravado and teaches us how to properly tremble. The Psalmist is experiencing life-shrinkage and finds himself on the unpleasant side of circumstances and relationships. He refuses to whine but also refuses to not cry. The difference between whining and crying is discovered in motivation and direction. His motivation is His sole dependence upon God and His direction is directly to the throne room as he refuses even a side glance at any other potential source of relief. I strongly encourage you to read both these Psalms as you begin your week and ask yourself this question:
Is this a piece of ancient literature or a resource of modern help?
I believe that is most assuredly the second. What a taunt the word of God would be if it had no echo into the modern life. If only the Psalmist could know he would be heard in his trouble. Should there be no option of God intervening on our behalf as He did the Psalmist, we would find ourselves mocked by stale promises hidden behind the stained glass of history. Yet, thank God, this is not the case at all. The Lord has not changed in His delight and desire to protect His children and provide for their journey. Mark it down, God is not above allowing a little fright into our hearts as He stretches our faith, but He is no monster to allow us to tremble with no recourse. His children have always stood in need of regular rescue and what proved true for the ancients of the faith is still rock solid for you and me.
He writes in this same Psalm, “For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise His own people who are prisoners.” – Psalm 69:33 {ESV}. What iron gate threatens to lock you down? The prison of sickness, perhaps? For some it is the prison of heartbreak which has sunk long claws deep into the heart. Still others see the swinging bars of age closing them and threatening loss of purpose and vigor and influence; growing old graciously and courageously is no easy task. I’ve recently walked the solitary ward of impossible demands while wearing the shackles of limited ability. Becoming tattooed across my faith was an inmate’s number which tried to reassign my identity as a child of the King to that of a forgotten prisoner. The Word of God acts a light which flames in the dungeon and reveals the way of escape that we may be able to endure life’s trials. You are no inmate, friend. You are God’s boy. You are God’s girl. He is our Father and can only and always do us what will prove to be good.
This precious Psalm begins as a somber lament. He works his way through pain and persecution. He finds the throne room of his God and discovers no door on the hinges. As he tarries there a bit, his mind and outlook begin to change. It is here that he teaches us what our spirits hold to be true when we are thinking clearly:
“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.” –Psalm 69:30-32