Psalm 69:1-6, 13-18, 30-34 "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. Lord, the Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me....But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the flood waters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes....I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. The poor will see and be glad—you who seek God, may your hearts live! The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them..."
Sorry everyone, I was thinking about Daffy Duck this morning - not sure why, but the title has too meanings today.... saving faith and saving face.
I like a lot of the Psalms and this is one of them. David knows he did something wrong, and he knows that God knows He did something wrong. Instead of having a pity-party for himself, he prays. He just talks to God. He knows God well enough to know that He listens to what he has to say.
At first it's a 'in trouble' prayer... "Save me, God, because I'm stuck in a big old mess and this time I don't have anything to hold onto - so I know I'm gonna sink. I keep calling for help, but no one's answering - I don't even see You anymore." Yet he keeps praying and talking to God, though he doesn't 'see' or sense that God is there. That's faith. Knowing that God is moved when we pray in faith - knowing that He will rescue us from the mire and not let us sink - because of the goodness of His love for us!
Then he praises and thanks the Lord for things yet unseen. Now that's the very definition of faith. Believing, though what we believe for is not seen in any way, shape or form.
He also prays that other people who see him do not fall away from God on account of his failures. People looked up to him as a leader, when he fell some may have figured that he wasn't who he said he was, so maybe God wasn't so great after all. David didn't want that to happen - he was what we say 'saving face' - not really for himself, but in God's stead.
I believe God answered out of His mercy and love because His Name will never be tarnished by one who calls themselves a man or woman of God. Others watch us - do we react differently to circumstances or do we react as everyone else does, gossip, slander, becoming angry and vindictive. Yes, we are human, we have emotions, but it's critical to involve the Lord right away when we are crossed.... so we can learn to handle circumstances and situations His way and let His Name be glorified in our midst.
Down in the Lowlands - Russ Taff
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