Last week we began the next study in the series on The Psalms. It is titled Wait: A Walk through the Psalms – Psalms 31- 60 by The Daily Grace Co. This is just me sharing materials and it is not an affiliate link.
Waiting on God can be challenging. His time and ways can be so different than ours. Recently I read this statement (and I apologize as I can’t remember the source):
“When you understand that God is never late, you wait differently.”
As we move ahead through the next 30 Psalms, may that be our prayer – may we learn to wait differently.
Psalm 31
“I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, because You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul.” (verse 7, NASB)
We rejoice in the lovingkindness of the Lord because He has seen, and knows, what troubles us.
Our feelings will get us in trouble. Our feelings will lie and deceive us. Our prayer, (my prayer), needs to be for God to show us what is true.
The study calls this perceived truth and truth.
Let’s discuss this >> What is the difference between truth and perceived truth? How do you think it impacts your daily life?
Perceived truth is filtered through our emotions. Truth is filtered through God’s truth.
“And they do not always line up.”
(from Wait by The Daily Grace Co.)
This is where we get ourselves into trouble. We forget that they don’t line up. We forge ahead emotionally rather than wait for God to guide us.
On those days that our feelings are trying to overtake the truth of God, we need to pray verse 24:
“Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the Lord.” (NASB)
We are to take courage one day at a time, and usually … one step at a time, for “He’s in the waiting.”
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Psalm 33
“Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright.” (verse 1, NASB)
This psalm reminds us to praise God even as we wait. It also reminds us of the reasons we have to praise God:
- the Word of the Lord is right and true
- He is faithful in all He does
- He loves righteousness and justice
- He defeats those plans which are against His plans
But then we are reminded – the choice to praise God is ours and fully in our control. The question truly becomes >>> Will we choose to praise Him as we wait for Him to act?
It can be so easy to grumble and complain when we tire of waiting. Let’s choose praise instead.
So the study asked three questions: What can you praise God for today? What do you need to surrender to Him? What does it look like to live a life that is hoping, waiting, and trusting in Him?
Today I am praising God for His faithfulness. I am surrendering my children and grandchildren to Him. The coming year is going to be full of many changes and transitions. I am going to trust that when all is said and done, it will be for the good of all of our family.
“Let us not present old worn-out praise, but put life and soul and heart into every song, since we have new mercies every day and see new beauties in the work and word of our Lord.” (Charles Spurgeon)
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Psalm 35
“O Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. Put on your armor, and take up your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.” (verses 1-2, NASB)
The heading in my commentary is: “A Declaration of War.” It’s a good reminder that our enemy is not the people in our lives or our circumstances, although at times it feels that way.
“Our enemy not people but evil and the evil one.”
(from Wait by The Daily Grace Co.)
In the study, there was one sentence that fully had my attention > “His voice stills our anxious soul.”
It reminded me of Psalm 29 when we noted how many times the psalmist wrote “the voice of the Lord” and all His voice accomplishes. To that we can now add that His voice also stills our anxious souls.
We are in a battle on this earth but we also are assured that the Lord fights those who fight against us (verse 2).
The study asks: How does God calm our anxious souls?
It is God’s Word, and very often a song, which brings a calm to my anxious soul. He reminds me of His Presence with me. In the middle of it all.
May you remember the battle is His and He will fight for you!
~*~*~
We take courage in God’s truth,
praising Him as we wait,
knowing He will fight for us.
Photo by Amel Majanovic on Unsplash
Today I may be joining … Tell His Story
Loved this Ms. Joanne. I especially liked what I thought about in your discussion of “truth versus perceived truth.” As I thought about this, I heard “Perceived truth is from the world. Truth is from the Word.” If it doesn’t align with God’s Word, then it’s of the world, and therefore suspect. Enjoyed this morning ma’am. Thank you!
Today my devotion was John 8:32. “….the truth will set you free.” And my prayer was to be led away from false “truth” and toward the Truth. With so much information in the world, I can even get anxious about what is “truly” healthy to eat! But His presence stills us. What hope that brings to my mind and heart today. Thank you!