John Mark Ministries | Walking And Talking With God – Psalms 16

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Walking And Talking With God – Psalms 16 – 20

By Rowland Croucher and others ⋅ January 5, 2003 ⋅ Post a comment

11. Thirty Psalms

xvii. Psalm 16

1.. Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

2.. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord: I have no good apart from you.”

3.. As for the holy ones in this land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.

4.. Those who chose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood, I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.

5.. The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

6.. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.

7.. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also, my heart instructs me.

8.. I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9.. Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.

10.. For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful see the pit.

11.. You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

(Reader. On the day that I came to respond to this psalm in prayer, I was working on an important commercial project that was challenging, and would require significant judgement and wisdom. This book is about walking and talking with God. It is important to be practical, personal, and share intimate conversation with the Lord. Please walk with me.)

Praying

Lord, I come to you in expectation today because I have some important things to do, and decisions to make. So I turn to your word first, in order to get my priorities right, and to seek your blessing. What do you want to say to me this morning, Lord, as I now turn to and read this Psalm?

The opening line seems to be an uncanny response to my request, and yet I didn’t know it was coming. “Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge” (V.1.). So again, I say to you, “You are my Lord.” Everything I have, Lord, reflects your blessing to me. Family, friends, property, education, ability to make a living, but most of all the knowledge of yourself, and this growing ability to come close to you, or rather, to sense your presence (V.2.). And just now, Lord, I want to thank you for my local church family – also a gift to me. They are some of the saints in the land, and it is a joy to be with them (V.3.). Just last night, we talked about people who want to run elsewhere and away – people who don’t seem to want to find fellowship with you. Help me to show more widely the richness of knowing you, for in you we have a delightful inheritance – both here and in the world to come. May our church family grow with people who are walking forward in your presence. Lord, I lift my soul to you this morning in worship, praise, and thankfulness.

Listening

I accept your worship, my son. But the next part of the Psalm is where I want to speak to you this morning. You began these words with a request for wisdom. Just remember that I am the one who counsels you (V.7.). Lay before me at the end of each day your concerns for tomorrow, and I will teach your soul how to respond – even while you sleep. Remember that I will stand at your right hand, and will be there at all times to advise, and to prevent you from being shaken more than you can stand (V.8.). You need to trust this counsel in the same way as you are listening to my words just now.

Praying

Lord, these words make my heart glad, and bring a profound sensation of peace (V.9.). I worship you today in awe, that you have made known to me this path of life (V.11.) that you fill me with joy in your presence. These pleasures are not transient, but will last forever (V.11.).

So I love you Lord, and worship you, and step out into the day strengthened by this time with you this morning.

For comments or responses, please contact

WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD

11. Thirty Psalms

xviii. Psalm 17

1.. Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry; give ear to my lips free of deceit.

2.. From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right.

3.. If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.

4.. As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.

5.. My steps have held fast to your paths; me feet have not slipped.

6.. I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words.

7.. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

8.. Guard me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,

9.. from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me.

10.. They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

11.. They track me down; now they surround me; they set my eyes to cast me to the ground.

12.. They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush.

13.. Rise up, O LORD, confront them, overthrow them! By your sword deliver my life from the wicked.

14.. from mortals – by your hand, O LORD – from mortals whose portion is life in this world. May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them; may their children have more than enough; may they leave something over to their little ones.

15.. As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied beholding your likeness.

Thinking

I came to this psalm one evening after a church business meeting.* It was a good meeting. First we prayed to the Lord for wisdom. Then, we “brain-stormed” together working together to develop consensus for forward plans and growth. Then I came home, and turned to this Psalm before retiring to seek a new thought from God.

Praying

Lord, your servant David said, “Attend to my cry. Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit” (V.1.). That was our prayer tonight as we sought your leading.

Listening

Yes my son, but my people are all at different stages of listening to my voice. Tonight your process was OK, and you used the collective consciousness that I was nudging. Another time I will speak individually to your pastor, to you, and to others.

Praying

Lord, I want to lay myself before you and invite you to probe my heart (V.3.). Test me Lord, but unlike David (V.3.), there are things to be found. I have resolved that my mouth will not sin, yet I confess that from time to time this human weakness surfaces. Lord, I want to hold on to you as my Saviour. Wash me, Lord. Then I will be clean and will be able to hear your voice more clearly. I want my steps to hold your paths (V.5.). So I call on you tonight, Lord, and listen for your answer (V.6.).

Listening

I hear you my son, but what is it that you are calling for?

Praying

Lord, I want to thank you that you have shown me your great love (V.7.). Tonight I just want to ask for your guidance and blessing on our church programme as we take your name into our community. There are so many people who don’t know you, who are on a path to destruction, yet you can save them by your right hand – and your left hand – the hands that were stretched out and bled for me, for us, and for all who call on your name.

Lord, you seem to keep all of your family as the apple of your eye (V.8.). I pray that many more people round about us will know this experience as they have come to trust you.

Listening

My son, I will answer this prayer – in a way you cannot presently imagine. I will use you and your friends – and many others to bring it about. Be ready. The time will come for action as well as words, but I will be with you – with my strong right hand.

Praying

Thank you, Lord. I bless you, and understand this to mean that I want to do everything I can to support your cause. I do this because I love you, but also know that one day there will be the reward of waking into a new world, in your righteousness, and seeing your face (V.15.). Being satisfied with you has begun now, but one day this will grow into the full awareness of seeing your likeness (V.15.). Accept my worship as I bow before you.

*Feb 9th 2000.

For comments or responses, please contact

WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD

11. Thirty Psalms

s.. Psalm 18: 1 – 3

1.. I love you, O LORD, my strength.

2.. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I shall take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

3.. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, so I shall be saved from my enemies.

Thinking

This is a long Psalm. It is convenient to spread meditation and prayer over several days.

Let’s begin by thinking about strength and the way that it arouses love for our Lord (V.1.).

God’s power holds the world together and holds us together. We don’t know why gravity or subatomic forces exist. They are a property of matter that he ordained, but I don’t think David was speaking about this. The subject hadn’ t broached his awareness. Yet, he understood the more important metaphysical strength that comes from God. Strength of soul and strength of character. Do our spirits have a backbone? Integrity? Righteousness?

Praying

Lord, I must have extreme curvature of the spiritual spine, but you’re straightening me. May I stand tall for you. May I stand firm for you, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my strength, and my refuge (V.2.). I love you, O Lord, for you are my strength.

And Lord, you are my rock – the fortress that cannot be taken – the one in whom I can take refuge (V.2.). I have needed to do this many times, Lord, and you are always there. Just now, I thank you that you are more than just a refuge. You are the city from whence come life, and strength, and love.

Listening

Yes, my son – forever and ever – without ceasing.

Praying

Lord, my only response can be to call out to you as the one who is worthy of all praise (V.3.).

For comments or responses, please contact

WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD

11. Thirty Psalms

s.. Psalm 18: 4 – 6

1.. The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of perdition assailed me;

2.. the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.

3.. In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

Thinking

Now I come to this part of the Psalm where David describes the physical threat to his life and the way that he had been delivered. In Eastern style he describes it all in vivid allegorical language: – “cords of death, torrents of destruction, cords and snares of death” (Vv.4,5.). Then he describes how the Lord heard him from his temple (V.6.). I have not personally had this physical threat from war, but many others have. May this Psalm be a blessing to them as it points them one by one to call on God.

For me however, these words need to be linked to the spiritual dimension, in which my experience is now real. I have described this elsewhere, but today it seems appropriate to link the lessons to me with this passage of Scripture. In March 1999 I had an acute anaphylactic attack and stopped breathing for 8 minutes. My friend, medical staff and circumstances all worked together for quality treatment and resuscitation, but I was left with some brain damage – prefrontal stun with labile emotions and altered behaviour. This was devastating to me, a person dependent on my wits, and I laid it before God. Just two days later, in a vision, our precious Lord reached out to me to touch and heal my brain. The total recovery over the next 6 weeks was later rated remarkable and unexpected by the academics. I remain a walking miracle and continue to proclaim the power and love of my G od. (See also Preparing, Chapter 2.)

So these words of David have become very real to me. The cords of death did indeed entangle me (V.4.). I was confronted by the snares of death (V.5.), and I called to the Lord in my distress. I cried out to my God for help (V.6.), and from his temple, he heard me, and reached down to save me (V.6.).

So I praise my Lord, and write these words so that others will know of his power, and the relevance of his word to us today. We have an awesome God, who comes to the aid of his people, one by one and group by group.

Listening

Yes my son, and remind your readers that they should pray specifically, as you did, and that I will hear and answer my people in ways and with timing best for them. Teach them to trust me.

Praying

Lord, I will, and I want to follow your example, so that together, we follow you. Praise you, Lord.

For comments or responses, please contact

WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD

11. Thirty Psalms

s.. Psalm 18: 7 – 9

1.. Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was so angry.

2.. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him.

3.. He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet.

Thinking

In this passage, David is reciting Eastern hyperbole. Did he really see these things? Earth trembles, mountains shake (V.7.), smoke from the nostrils of God, fire from his mouth, burning coals (V.8.), and dark clouds under his feet (V.9.).

Praying

Lord, how do you want me to understand this today in my culture, apparently advanced in science and technology?

Listening

My son, you are right. Some of this is Eastern mystic hyperbole, but you must understand that it comes from a deep undoubting faith. Yes it is true that from the dawn of time, people have interpreted the elements to be my acts – and some of them were. For you today, I want you to see the spiritual or metaphysical symbolism. Now read it through again.

Praying

The earth trembles (V.7.), the created before the creator, the profane before the holy, and the finite before the infinite. If the earth trembles before you, Lord, how much more must I tremble? Lord, I lift your name on high, and tremble before you – in worship. May you never have cause to be angry with me.

Listening

My son, I will keep you and guard you by my spirit. Hold fast and stay within my love. This is my purpose for you. If you heed this word, there is no reason for you ever to know my anger.

Praying

Then comes the passage about smoke, fire and burning coals coming from you (V.8.). What does this mean, Lord?

Listening

These are symbolic words. The smoke of holiness, the fire that tests and purifies, and the coals that symbolise my ultimate and infinite source of energy. Remember that I can use these in anger, but also in love. So you too can be holy, be purified, and be a source of energy in my kingdom – on my behalf. Remember that I have chosen you to be part of my family. Therefore you must learn how to use, wield, and deploy these same qualities.

Praying

I am speechless, Lord, in awe, and very humbled.

He parted the heavens and came down. Dark clouds were under his feet (V.9.). Lord this reminds me that you came down from heaven to live amongst us, at a time when the world was covered with dark clouds – dark clouds of sin and godlessness. But you have conquered and put them under your feet. And today, you have lifted me out of the dark clouds of sin and doubt, and by your grace, enabled me to trust you. I will pause now – to sit still in your presence and meditate about the richness of these words, of your acts, of your grace, and I worship you.

For comments or responses, please contact

WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD

11. Thirty Psalms

s.. Psalm 18: 10 – 19

1.. He rode on a cherub, and flew; he came swiftly upon the wings of the wind.

2.. He made the darkness his covering around him, his canopy thick clouds dark with water.

3.. Out of the brightness before him there broke through his clouds of hailstones and coals of fire.

4.. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice.

5.. And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; he flashes forth lightnings and routed them.

6.. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of your nostrils.

7.. He reached down from on high, he took me; he drew me out of the mighty waters.

8.. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me.

9.. They confronted me in the day of my calamity; but the Lord was my support.

10.. He brought me out into a broad place; he delivered me because he delighted in me.

Thinking

Now it just happened that on the morning I came to this passage, my mind had been distracted by petty things – items that were very transient but needed to be fitted into a short space of time to meet a variety of needs. And I guess I got stressed, but we’re all human!

Then I read these verses – God mounting the cherub, soaring on the wind (V.10.). This is figurative language, but I noticed that the Lord was not in a chariot or riding a horse. I only have very hazy ideas of what a cherub might be, but it is certainly not of this world. Rather, I sense that a cherub like God is not restricted by space, time and gravity. So this passage came to me as imagery of the omnipresence and eternal presence of God.

Listening

There’s much more to it than that, but this is enough for now. Now ponder for a moment how I have been leading your thinking.

Praying

You know, my Lord, how many times I have bowed before you in awe, realising that you bother about me. And here it is again – the omnipresent God, soaring as it were on the wind – pure spirit – but seeking me out to lead my thoughts. I must read on.

Thinking

Now I find the darkness to be the Lord’s canopy (V.11.). Beyond him, there is nothing. How can there be anything other than darkness? We see the sky blue because of air around us. They say its black in space because of nothingness. I can sense the imagery now, yet as the ultimate God also comes to us in intimacy. Just as well he is outside of space, time and gravity – otherwise it couldn’t happen.

Then comes the visual pictures of thunderstorm, lightening, and natural powers that moved mountains (Vv.12-15.). I guess to David, these were the greatest kinds of power known to men. These are pictures of God’s omnipotence. But this is the God who reaches down from on high to take hold of us and draw us out of deep waters (V.16.). To any outsider, it must seem like the strangest relationship. The all-powerful and all-present in intimate relationship with the weak, helpless, and transient. It doesn’t make sense at all until we come to recognise his incredible love.

Praying

You rescue me (V.17.), you support me (V.18.), and you bring me out into a spacious place because you delight in me (V.19.). Lord, I can only respond in love.

Listening

Write these words down my son, so that others will also come to understand these mysteries. I have come to rescue all men and women who lift their heart to me in response. I want to bring each one of you out of the darkness and into the light.

For comments or responses, please contact

WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD

11. Thirty Psalms

s.. Psalm 18: 20 – 36

1.. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness;

2.. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

3.. For all his ordinances were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me.

4.. I was blameless before him, and kept myself from guilt.

5.. Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

6.. With the loyal you show yourself loyal; with the blameless you show yourself blameless;

7.. with the pure you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you show yourself perverse.

8.. For you deliver a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.

9.. It is you who light my lamp; the LORD, my God, lights up my darkness.

10.. By you I can crush a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.

11.. This God – his way is perfect; the promise of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

12.. For who is God except the LORD? And who is a rock beside our God? -

13.. the God who girded me with strength, and made my way safe.

14.. He made my feet like feet of a deer, and set me secure on the heights.

15.. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

16.. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand has supported me; your help has made me great.

17.. You gave me a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.

Thinking

“The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness” (V.20.).

This seems a very arrogant statement that David has made. I could not say this. I guess it is based on his faith, purity of intention, and conformance to the temple ritual. Thus, he was able to stand before God with clean hands (V.20.) according to the requirements of the day. He kept the ways of the Lord (V.21.) and experienced his blessing.

Praying

Lord, I need to stand before you with a clean heart, but this cleansing, and any righteousness I may appear to have, comes from you. Without your cleansing, I am as filthy rags.

Lord, I ask for your grace and the power to follow your ways. Then, like David, I can stand before you. Your laws are before me (V.22.), and my purpose is to keep them and never turn away. May I have the grace, dear Lord, to keep this vow. It is my heart’s desire to be blameless before you (V.23.). I sense that you are rewarding me, but not according to my righteousness (V.24.), rather, according to your grace.

Listening

My son, I reward you and bless you because it is my nature so to do.

Praying

Thank you, Lord. This Psalm also reminds me of your nature – faithful, blameless (V.26.), and pure (V.27.). David notes that the crooked find you shrewd (V.27.). My dictionary defines that as sagacious, sensible, discriminating, astute, and judicious. To me that means all wise.

Lord, I turn to you, the one with these traits of infinite quality, yet wrapped in love. Keep my lamp burning for your cause, O Lord, and turn any darkness to light (V.28.).

Listening

I will my son. Switch your lamp on now. There are troops to advance against, and walls to scale (V.29.), but I will be with you.

Praying

Lord, I worship you and bless you now. Your ways are perfect; your words are flawless (V.30.). There is nothing besides you – my rock (V.31.). You are in me with the strength of spirit, and make my way perfect (V.32.). With you, I can achieve unheard of heights (V.33.), and you train me for spiritual warfare – hands and arms to work for you (V.34.), yet protected by your shield and own hand (V.35.). And Lord, I thank you that the way is clearly marked – broad, with no reason to trip provided that I stay close to you (V.36.).

Accept my worship, my love, and my commitment to your service today as I pray these words, and forever.

For comments or responses, please contact

WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD

11. Thirty Psalms

s.. Psalm 18: 37 – 50

1.. I pursued my enemies and overtook them; and did not turn back until they were consumed.

2.. I struck them down so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet.

3.. For you girded me with strength for the battle; you made my assailants sink under me.

4.. You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed.

5.. They cried for help, but there was no one to save them; they cried to the LORD, but he did not answer them.

6.. I beat them fine, like the dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets.

7.. You delivered me from strife with the peoples; you made me head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me.

8.. As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me.

9.. Foreigners lost heart, and came trembling out of their strongholds.

10.. The Lord lives! Blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation,

11.. the God who gave me vengeance and subdues peoples under me;

12.. who delivered me from my enemies; indeed, you exalted me above my adversaries; you delivered me from the violent.

13.. For this I will extol you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.

14.. Great triumphs he gives to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.

Thinking

David now looks back at the victories he has won with God’s help. Pursuit (V.37.), crush (V.38.), submission (V.39.), and flight and destruction (V.40.). Even cries for help – but it was too late (V.41.), they return to the dust of the earth (V.42.).

Praying

How should I respond to this passage, Lord?

Listening

My son, it is best for you to see this as a picture of my victory. For David, it was a physical victory, but mine is a spiritual one. And the victory is preordained because I have already struck the enemy with a mortal blow. The power of my presence is spiritual and stronger than steel. The evidence of my power is that I live (V.46.). Thus, the day will come when all the godless ones will cringe before me (V.44.), lose heart and come out of their strongholds (V.45.).

Praying

Lord, I praise you, my rock – the invincible one. You are the one who avenges, but takes care to rescue all your own from violent men (V.48.).

So, Lord, again I praise you among the nations (V.49.). Let this not be something I only do in the quietness of this room and at this PC today. While this is the place for personal worship, praise is about telling others about the greatness of your name, your acts, your person, your victory, but most of all your love.

I bow again in awe, my Lord and my God, at your awesome power that on the one hand has already conquered, but on the other shows unfailing kindness to your own.

Lord, I thank you that together with my brothers and sisters in Christ, you have made us members of your family, so that by analogy, and by faith, we are descendents of David (V.50.) and Abraham, and are gathered together with all those who love you.

Lord just now I ask for the grace to be worthy of this calling.

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WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD

11. Thirty Psalms

s.. Psalm 19: 1 – 6

1.. The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

2.. Day to day pours speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

3.. There is no speech, not are there words; there voice is not heard;

4.. yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,

5.. which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

6.. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.

Thinking

This is a beautiful Psalm, and we need to spend more than one day it.

“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork”(V.1.).

Sometimes we city folk don’t appreciate the heavens. We’re too busy looking down at our feet or the air is too smoggy for us to appreciate the sky. But when I go on holiday to the coast, or inland away from the city, it shouts out at me. Millions of stars and galaxies, planets slowly making their way across the sky – night after night, and our moon always changing its visible shape. The ancients looked for meaning in the skies, and often got it wrong. To me, the heavens declare the glory of God and are a sample of his infinity.

“Day to day pours forth speech” (V.2.). What does this mean Lord?

The original meaning of this is obscure to you folk today, but that doesn’t matter. Its symbolism is much clearer to a pastoral people whose lives were governed by the seasons and the weather. But there’s a new meaning today that David could never have understood. The heavens are now full of words – and music – and knowledge – and they crowd in over every radio and television. Some of these are going out in my name. Pray for them now.

Praying

Lord, I lift up to you my friends at HCJB and other Christian radio stations across the world. I ask you now to bless their work, so that people of many languages may come to know you through this technology (V.3.). And may we be discerning, Lord, to turn off the radio and TV when it contains junk and other material tugging people away from you.

This morning, today, may the words of your people go out over radio to the ends of the world – for your glory (V.5.).

Lord, today, I look forwards to the day when the heavens will declare your glory in brilliance at your return, and the skies will proclaim a new work, a new city, also made by your hands. No clouds or smog then, and nothing will be hidden from the heat of your eye (V.6.). Every eye will turn and every knee will bow. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and accept my praise and worship this morning.

For comments or responses, please contact

WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD

11. Thirty Psalms

s.. Psalm 19: 7 – 14

1.. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple.

2.. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;

3.. the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

4.. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honey-comb.

5.. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

6.. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.

7.. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

8.. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Thinking

These are famous words about God’s law, statutes (V.7.), precepts, commands (V.8.), fear, and ordinances (V.9.). Yes, there is a physical world that is controlled and moves on in balance controlled by the laws and systems God has created, but today these words remind me of the spiritual laws by which the Lord works on my soul.

Praying

Why does your law revive the soul, Lord?

Listening

That’s an easy one, my son. I have created you to walk and talk with me. Keeping my laws, and walking in them is the key to walking and talking with me. This promotes a spiritual health of your soul, or to use the words of the Psalm, “revives your soul”.

Praying

I can understand that your statutes make simple people wise. Wisdom is all about judgement and making choices. Your statutes facilitate making the right choices. But why do precepts give joy? Of all the things that make a man happy, I don’t think we would have put precepts at the top of the list.

Listening

Your dictionary defines a precept as a moral instruction. Keeping my precepts becomes the process of moral growth, refinement, and purity. As you do this, you begin to take on my character. Joy is the response of your soul as you become aligned with me.

Praying

Thank you Lord, for this insight. The rest of the words now become clear. Fear is pure and endures forever. Ordinances are sure and righteous. These things are so because they reflect your character – your essence.

Lord, these thoughts are very precious – much more precious than gold (V.10.) – and sweeter than honey. Lord, I ask you this morning to pull me into line and warn me (V.11.) with your laws, your statutes, your precepts, and your commands. Then I will know the fear of the Lord in all its purity and your ordinances in their righteousness. Keep me from willful sins, Lord. You know my weaknesses, and I invite you to remind me of these and warn me as often as you need (V.13.).

Thank you for this time of meditation today. May this growing awareness be pleasing to you, for you alone are my Lord, my rock, and my redeemer (V.14.).

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WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD

11. Thirty Psalms

s.. Psalm 20

1.. The LORD answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

2.. May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion.

3.. May he remember all your offerings, and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices.

4.. May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans.

5.. May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

6.. Now I know that the LORD will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand.

7.. Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God.

8.. They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright.

Thinking

I sense that David was praying for other people here – and that’s what we must do too.

He prayed that a person in distress – we don’t know who, whether an individual or a group of people – would be answered by God (V.1.). He could pray this prayer with absolute confidence because he knew that God had answered him in his need. I can identify with that, because God answered my prayer when I called out to him in major distress, and he answered me – he touched me, and made me well. I must pray this prayer for my friends and neighbours – including the wider and biblical definition of neighbour.

Praying

“The name of the God of Jacob protect you” (V.1.). Lord Jesus, you share that name with the Father and I thank you that your name is strong. The power of a name is a mystery to us Westerners, but I’m learning to trust in this spiritual law. Claiming the power of your name works! The devils fear and tremble when I claim the protection of your name. So just now, I pray that many people will come to understand this mystery. And I lift individuals to you now, that they may have this blessing of your grace.

Thinking

“May he send you help from the sanctuary” (V.2.). That means from the temple, from the throne of God himself – and it flows, a life giving stream upon individuals, to support us.

David and his people needed to sacrifice many times (V.3.), for like each of us, they had many sins.

Praying

Lord, I lift my soul to you in wonder again that you have made the sacrifice yourself. Now the challenge is to reach out to you, and know the saving power of your life. Lord, again I pray that my friends, and many people, may know this. This too is a mystery of grace, first that in your love you did it, and second that in your grace you enabled me to be aware of it.

Now I pray for my friends that you will give them the desire of their heart (V.4.).

Listening

My son, you need to reword this prayer a little so that “desire of your heart” is aligned with my desires. Remember the words in the prayer I taught you – “thy will be done”.

Praying

Yes Lord, and I want this to be an active prayer. May the desires of my heart, and that of my friends, be aligned with your will. May we concentrate on this higher motive so that “plans succeeding” means your kingdom proclaimed and extended. Then we will shout for joy, for the victory is yours (V.5.) through the power of your strong name.

Lord, I pray this prayer now, and lift up to you the list of individuals that you have laid on my heart (V.5.). May each know your saving power, and understand their place in your eternal purpose (V.6.). My prayer today is that we may join together in trust (V.7.), kneel together in worship, and stand together firm (V.8.).

David concludes with his prayer, “O Lord save the king”(V.9.). So just now, my Lord, I add to the list of individuals our leaders – federal, state, business, and community. And I thank you today for those amongst them who know the power of your strong name.