READ: Psalm 88 – 89
Psalm
88 is another psalm of great anguish. Throughout this psalm it is clear the
full responsibility for all the grief and despair is placed fully on God’s
shoulders. Verses 6-8 show us there is no doubt it was God who is keeping the
Psalmist in this difficult place and who put him there in the first place. Yet
there is also no doubt it is God alone who can be the Rescuer. The Psalmist is
brave and honest in verse 14 and cries out to God with his deep question of
‘why’. Unlike many other psalms, this one doesn’t end in praise to God, rather
it’s a full confession of God’s sovereignty and the Psalmist’s desperate need.
Psalm
89 starts with a short introduction (vs. 1-4) including a commitment to praise
and worship God, as well as the reason why. God is faithful and His love
endures forever. God has made a commitment to David to establish his family
line forever, and this is another significant reason to praise Him.
From
verse 5 through verse 18 we find a detailed account of God’s deeds of might and
wonder toward His people. This section of the psalm acts as both history and
teaching. This is a theme we have seen over and over again in Book III of
Psalms: Remembering God’s mighty deeds is critical to staying in a right
relationship with Him. Songs and passages like this one help the psalmist, and
each of us, remember who exactly God is. He is not some pie-in-the-sky
invention of a deluded mind like some might have us believe. Not at all! God is
directly responsible for all of Creation, has intervened personally and
dramatically in the lives of individuals and the nations, and has given joy to
those who have learned to worship Him.
Verse
19 begins a critical new section. From vs. 19-37 the Psalmist is remembering
the words and promises of God. He is specific about what God has said. He is
reminding God, and himself, what those promises were. There were so many
promises, yet one that stands taller than all others was the promise to let
David’s line continue forever. Even today we know this promise to be true and
fully expect this to be finally fulfilled when Jesus reigns on the earth again
as King.
The
Father-Heart of God is portrayed beautifully in verses 30 through 33. God makes
it abundantly clear in His promise, that although God would be quick to punish
sin, He would never take away His love or become unfaithful to His word. Often
we feel when we have sinned that God must not love us anymore. Yet the beauty
and power of God’s love is this, that while we are still sinners, God’s love
toward us is faithful and never-ending. Romans 5:8 is the New Testament
confirmation of this.
JOURNALING AND
PRAYER
1. Consider a
struggle you are in right now. Ask the Lord to show you His part in both giving
it to you and the part He’d like to play in rescuing you. Journal what He shows
you. Worship the Lord for His sovereignty. Spend time thanking God for your
current struggle and His part in it.
2. What is a promise God
has given you that has not yet been fulfilled? Write down some of what God has
done in the past for you that reminds you of His continued faithfulness. Now
spend a few minutes talking to God about your commitment to believe He will
keep this promise to you because of His proven faithfulness of the past.
Journal anything He shows you.
3. How does knowing
this truth from Psalm 89:30-33 (though God may punish you for your sins, His
love and faithfulness toward you never ends) make you feel? Write down a prayer
of thanks for God’s unending love and faithfulness toward you and that the
consequences he gives you are ultimately to bring you even closer to Him. If
you are physically capable, consider spending a few minutes on your knees
thanking God for all He has done and is doing in your life.
