Blog -Bible Daily Bread Devotional (BDBD)

Life dregs accumulate from sin, infirmities, and pestilence that float in the human soul. Their multiplication due to repetitional use clogs the heart’s arteries and bursts the aneurysms in the mind. Religious doctors reach into pockets while promising undelivered salvation. Sins overtake the blind patient.

Laying on death’s sharp bed of nails only one prayer can save from the accumulated dregs in lifeless soul’s pit. “Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me. (13) But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. (13:5)

Jesus, the only physician says, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:9-10) “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Jesus has saved me from the dregs of life. “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” (Acts 28:28)

The perception of David I had before studying this psalms and the previous two was a stately greater-than-life man; a warrior, king, musician, poet, romantic, and religious hero. However, his own words especially in Psalms 38, 39, and now this psalm reveal that he made many mistakes and committed sins often (12). David is now to me, perceived as an imperfect human like the rest of us. David created more trouble for himself than King Saul ever did when he forced David to live in the wilderness. “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin'”? (Proverbs 20:9) David certainly did not say that.

David exposes his many sins that have overtaken him (12). The consequences of sins are eventually troubles without numbers that blind and burden the soul. The heart fails under the weight of the consequences of sin. Sin is trouble I invite into my life. My sin is a burden that I was not designed to live with. I am the sinful fool that folded my mind. “The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.” (Proverbs 5:22-23)

The greatest tragedy of transgression is that sin removes the love and truth of the Lord God that can protect me. Though God’s love reaches the heavens (Psalm 36:5) sin shields me from it (Psalm 61:7).

I do have hope. My hope is in the mercy of the Lord Jesus. He says, “Come now, let us reason together. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:18-20) Apostle Paul wrote, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)

A sin exists that is often committed, even by some religious elite. The sin destroys society and causes stalemate in families. Were it studied by sociologists they would see that in societies this begins to increase, that society darkens, and in societies that do not commit this sin, that society becomes the light of the world.

What is this sin? It is when the faithful do not proclaim righteousness. There is hope and happiness when people do as David did, who did not seal his lips. He did not hide the Lord’s righteousness in his heart. David spoke of Jesus’ faithfulness and salvation. David did not conceal God’s love and truth. Then, David’s society shone brightly. We know it did because the righteousness he spoke is with the world today in these psalms.

Jesus tells his disciples, “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:27-28) And he said, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:21-23) Exalt the Lord’s righteousness with words and songs, and the Lord will exalt the society. Suppress the Lord’s righteousness by not speaking of it in words and songs, and the Lord will suppress the society.

The letter to the Hebrews 10:5-7 quotes these verses since they are prophecies about Jesus the Messiah. “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am–it is written about me in the scroll– I have come to do your will, O God.””

Hebrews 10:8-14 reveals the hidden meaning. “First he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them’ (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.’ He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

“Blessed” (“esher” in the original Hebrew) is used often in the Psalter (1:1, 2:12, 32:1,2, 33:12, 34:8, 37:24. etc.). Esher is also translated into English as happy. The AHD defines blessed as “bringing happiness, pleasure, or contentment”. In these verses, it is defined as “the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.”

On an early Monday morning knowing I will soon be going to an unpleasant job I am not happy nor content. Does that mean I am not blessed? An old hymn says, “Let me count the ways I am blessed” (or something like that). I do have much to be thankful for. I will not look up to the proud and those who trust in themselves. That foolishness makes me laugh inside and scoff.

If I pay attention I can see many wonderous things the Lord has and is doing. Why then am I unassured that wonders will not happen tomorrow and every day after? Is not his Spirit alive in me? Does not he promise me a place in his home?

Count my blessings not a few.

Know thy love for me is true.

My eyes see your wonders.

More than there are numbers.

Concern is not needed for tomorrow.

I will not need to borrow.

David is announcing a recent deliverance executed by the Lord his God. The deliverance story begins with him mentally recanting the past, other times when he waited for the Lord to hear his prayer for deliverance. When trouble befell he waited for the Lord’s answer. While doing so, just as in this time his memory resurged to times past when the Lord heard his request. David had formed a good habit when life became troublesome.

David remembered that once he either fell or was pushed into a slimy pit. He started walking or running in the mud. The mud turned to mire. The mire led to a slimy pit. He found himself trapped. He sank into the earth. The distance between the smelly muck and his distressed face shrank. He prayed as the likelihood of death increased with the decrease in distance between face and mud. Whether the pit was real or a poetic analogy of life events does not matter. For David, it was a slimmy pit that the Lord lifted him out of. The Lord placed him on the rock. He once again had a firm place to stand.

Remembering past deliverance encouraged David. His faith in the Lord was reassured because other times the Lord rescued him. As the Lord had done before, so he would do again.

When the Lord rescued him from the slimy pit and placed him on the rock David wrote a song to inspire others, perhaps Psalm 38 or 39. A new song was placed in his mouth. A hymn of praise was sung to the God of David and Israel. The song led people to see that the Lord saved and they feared. Others put their trust in the Lord. So David once again wrote a psalm, this psalm. Praise must follow deliverance as surely as prayer springs from need if God is to be truly honored.

Perhaps this should be titled, “The way of the cross leads home,” the title of an old hymn. Psalms 38, 39, 40, and 41 are similar in theme. David is reporting a past event; the Lord’s forgiveness of sin committed and the persecution that followed, just as in the other three psalms. The events he is narrating in all four psalms are not the same. Though each time he does not specify the sin, the different circumstances are similar.

David begins this psalm by describing his patience with the Lord, whereas in the previous psalm, his patience had dried up quickly. Patience is an essential part of a relationship with God. Every believer must learn patience. Without pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance patience cannot exist. Whether self-inflicted as in David’s case here, or from an external cause or person patience is taught because it is required; a fruit of the Spirit.

James, the brother of Jesus wrote, “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:7-11)

At the beginning of the psalm, David recalls the reason and effects of his silence before the wicked and before God. Now David is mooing his plea to the Lord. To pray is better than silence. The Lord already knows, why be silent? Help is just a prayer away. The Lord is not deaf. He is waiting for the confession of a humble and contrite soul.

What happens when I do not pray? When my heart is not reaching for God I am like an alien walking away. When David was silent it was as if God punished him harshly and then left him in his misery. He might as well be an alien dwelling in the kingdom of God. Silence makes me a stranger to God. I will know the truth in silence, only suffering from my unrelenting stubbornness.

The Lord Jesus looks at the stubborn lack of faith with distressed eyes, the stern look of a parent. One Sabbath the Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples for picking some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating the kernels. On another Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue the Pharisees were watching him to see if he would heal. They considered healing working which was a Sabbath no-no according to their rules. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” He looked around at them all (with stern parent eyes), and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:9-11) A child does not rejoice when a parent gives him that look. “Look away from me, father,” David prayed for relief from punishment.

David confesses his sin. He indirectly was the cause of the illness. David sinned and the Lord disciplined him as a good father does. The discipline was the illness. The illness was a near-death moment.
David did not say anything when disciplined. He and those around him knew he had sinned and knew the Lord was disciplining him. They believed he would die. David did not say anything, not even to God. He remained silent and thought about the place he had put himself in. When he could not hold his tongue anymore due to an anguished heart he spoke his confession.
God is constantly involved him my life. He is not far off and unconcerned. He desires that I am the best that I can be. The best that I can be is displayed in the life of Jesus. Jesus is my perfection destination. When I am not heading for the destination, the Lord rebukes me by the blow of his hand. I may be healthy one moment and terribly ill the next. I need to realize and accept that each man is but a breath. The fear of the Lord needs to be known and understood as much as the Love and forgiveness of the Lord.

What is hope? Is it desire? A dream? A wish? An expectation? Hope is my soul looking forward to and expecting something better, something truly satisfying in a time to come.

When the next moment is death and when looking into the soul’s transgressions and the vanity of life already passed, what can one hope for tomorrow and after? Review a life past spent doing things that do not lead to a satisfied soul what is there to desire and expect? “Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.” (1 Chronicles 29:15b)

Can my hope be in me and my actions? My actions past were all vanity. Meaningless, meaningless, meaningless as Solomon wrote. And as David wrote here a mere phantom life. Honest self-reflection knows that a fool hopes in oneself. Like once prosperous Job lamented when all was loss and a fatal illness slowly consumed his flesh, “What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?” (Job 6:11-13)

Hope worth living for is not in self-accomplishment nor is vague and insecure dreams. Even if achieved such hope becomes a letdown once accomplished. A trophy and metal on the wall dim in satisfaction as time progresses.

Hope worth living for is in the Lord Jesus. He is the better future. “In his name, the nations put their hope.” (Matthew 12:21) David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'” (Acts 2:25-28)

“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2) “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:23-25)

David’s confessed fiery soul contemplation compelled by a sin-generated mental turmoil had altered David’s life perspective. The confession in verses 4 and 5 is continued in verse 6. The fast-approaching consumption of life and the unimportance of past actions had obtained his full attention. Grave sin and dire illness will alter a person’s perception of life. “What is really important? Is anything important when one is about to die?”

Grievous illness leads to life perspective change. Near death pinches the soul causing the mind to quickly awake from slumber. “Certainly, man walks about like a mere shadow. Indeed, they frantically rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them.” (Holman Christian Standard Bible) An aged successful Solomon confessed, “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 2:17-19)

Jesus, in an attempt to pinch souls without a life-threatening event, revealed in the parable “The Rich Fool”, God’s take on people whose hard work and planning caused them to become very wealthy. “God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” ((Luke 12:20-21)

Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:18-20, “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

What then is there? What is the point? What is the meaning? Where is there hope that sure and true? Is there more than the phantom life? Yes! The answer to these questions are in the following verses to be revealed in the following BDBD.

David has a nagging thought that induces so much anguish when he holds it in he nearly explodes. He did not want to sin by saying something sinful before the wicked in his presence or before his God. So he held it in. Yet, he could not for his distressed heart burned like a consuming fire devouring his peace.

What weighed so heavy on his heart? The brevity of his life chafed his soul raw. He screamed, “Each man’s life is but a breath.” The state of probation and preparation is short and David knew he was failing. He wanted the Lord to remind him that his final moment was fast approaching. He sought motivation to keep him from sinning and do what is right, noble, and good. Yet, even though he changed, his life would not be long enough to redeem the wrong.

Moses prayed, “The length of our days is seventy years– or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:10-12)

Can David, myself, and anyone else have any hope? The past cannot be undone. The future is short. A fast end makes time well spent not enough to redeem. Did David find any way to be redeemed? The coming verses and BDBD contain the receipt.

Keeping a burning thought and questions inside will irritate the soul. Like a hot volcano, the pressure builds needing more and more soil to keep the heat hidden and buried. Whereas in the previous psalm, David kept his mouth shut before his accusers, here David also keeps his mouth shut before God.

David vowed to keep quiet because he did not want to sin with his words. He put a muzzle on it and meditated. This turned out to be a poor decision because his anguish increased. The teapot would either whistle or explode. The pressure-building thought needed an answer from outside for him to be at peace again. He could not obtain it himself.

As Jesus later taught and Apostle Paul explained, the mouth expresses the thought within. (Matthew 23:25-28; Luke 11:39-41) Holding thoughts and anguish in does not get rid of the troubling question or sin unless I am all-knowing or at least an honest brilliant thinker. Since I am not, holding thoughts in only alters the consequences. Opening my mouth will cause others to react against me. Keeping my mouth shut and thoughts inside causes my body to react against my peace. Either way, the consequences of thoughts and sin are experienced.

David’s recant of this incident continues in the following verses and following BDBD; as does the solution.

David sinned. His confession and request followed. The dual-verse stanza conclusion sums up the entire appeal, “Do not forsake me, be not far from me, come quickly to help me.” David’s request is to the LORD, his God and Savior. David has prayed “Do not be far from me” in earlier Psalms 22:19 and 35:22. He prayed “Do not forsake me” several times too. (27:9, 10, 38:21, 71:9, 18, as did a priest in 119:8)

How is it that a man who the Lord stated was after his heart (1 Samuel 13:14) has on at least three occasions needed to ask the Lord these two things? What did he mean? In each instance, he was in dire need. He was very ill, to the point of death and his enemies were sure to make his life miserable and push him to the edge of existence. Hence, the Lord had not come to his rescue. The Lord had not delivered him. The Lord kept him in illness and misery. David did not ask, “Why me?” Instead, David is saying as in Psalm 40:13 and 17, “Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me… Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.”

Even a righteous child of God will at times plead with the Lord to not delay any more. The apostles approached the misery and persecution they endured by adding rejoicing that they were considered special enough to suffer for Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Peter concludes his first letter, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11)

David sinned. He followed the way of the righteous when they sin. He confessed his iniquity (gross immorality and injustice) to God and he was troubled with his sin. As David would have read in Leviticus 5:5-6 “When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess in what way he has sinned and, as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin.”

When his enemies heard of his confession they took advantage of the situation. Though David had done nothing against them, they vigorously sought his downfall. They hated him without reason. They repaid his good with evil. They slandered his name for pursuing what is good. This is the reason for his prayers at this time. He asked for the Lord God to come to his aid.

David wrote of hate without reason before in 35:19 and 69:4. The Apostle John wrote in his gospel that this was fulfilled in the life of Jesus. (John 15:24-25) When the Bible speaks of hate without reason it does not mean that those who do so do not have self-justifications for their actions. Rather, it means that there is no Godly justification for their hateful actions. Their false justification usually falls under prideful judgment and execution of punishment, almost always as a benefit of self. Most are like in this case. They seek to dispose of their enemy and justify it saying, “They deserve it.”

Jesus taught, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37) “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:2)

David sinned. The Lord is disciplining him with a painful illness. His enemies are using these as a means to dispose of him. Sometimes no defense, answers, or rebuttals are the only things that can be done. That is what David is saying in verses. The only things I can do when much is taken away is put my hope in the Lord Jesus and pray.

Psalm 55:22 states, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” And Apostle Peter wrote, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

David sinned. God knew and so did everyone else. David’s sin caused physical wounds. His friends avoided him. His enemies set their traps. They plot deception.

God knows when I sin. My sins are no surprise to the Lord Jesus. God knows what my sin does to me. Consequences do not startle God. “All my longings (desires) lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you,” David cried out. Though he sinned and was suffering the results of his vile, David renewed his appeal to God.

Communication about everything and anything is a part of the vital divine relationship. “Cry out, ‘Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise.'” (1 Chronicles 16:35) “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,” (Psalm 10:17) When Apostle Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, Jesus called him to the beach to have breakfast. (John 21) Reunion is just prayers away.

David sinned, the devastating physical and psychological effects of his illness as a result of sin are conveyed in detail. His wounds fester and are loathsome. He is bowed down and mourns all day long. His lower back is searing pain. He is feeble and utterly crushed. Anguish of heart groans do not cease. David confesses. “(These are) …because of my sinful folly.” Other English Bible translates “iwwelet” (transliteration of the original Hebrew) as “foolishness”, “folly”, and “stupidity” When I invite calamity into my life I cannot blame God, “Why me?” is denial and pride. Rather the proper response is, “I accept. I am the one who poisoned the garden so that the life within withers away.”

James wrote, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16) Apostle John wrote to all believers, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” (1 John 1:9-10) Apostle Paul wrote, “That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:30-32)

David sinned, the details of which are not specified in this penetrative petition. The results are his guilt overwhelms him, God disciplines him in his wrath, and he is physically suffering. Many reasons for physical illness and pain exist including because of God’s wrath. God disciplines his children in many ways including retribution for sin with illness. Guilt can reside whether one committed an ill act or not. Proper guilt results in repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. After all, this is the reason God disciplines the ones he loves with piercing arrows and a heavy hand. A fear of God can keep me from experiencing God’s heavy hand more so than love for God. Therefore, fear God’s discipline enough to live a healthy life.

The ultimate contrast presented in the psalm is repeated again at the end. The blameless, upright, and peacemaker has an eternal future. The sinners and wicked will be cut off.

I am told to observe the upright. Who are the upright? The autistic child sitting alone in the school cafeteria is righteous. The small girl laughed at by other girls because she doesn’t listen to a singer who wears so little clothes on stage. The coworker who is made fun of because they refuse to drink alcohol at the company party. The couple who spend their evenings with their family rather than at a bar and bring their children to a Bible teaching congregation rather than sleep in. The upright is an elderly single person who goes to church every Sunday and is never greeted or noticed.

Who is the sinner? The child who ignores the autistic peer. The girls who bully the small girl. The coworkers who ridicule the person they work with. Family members who gossip about their sibling’s strange boring life. The religious elite who only talk to and recognize their friends at church. These people care little for the Lord and his teaching except when it applies to their own fortune.

The LORD helps the righteous and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. They are not at the mercy of the wicked for the LORD is their refuge, and despite all that the wicked do, the Lord makes secure their inheritance in the promised land.

David, the author of the psalm repeats the theme concerning the wicked and ruthless sure to perminate end. He states that he has personally witnessed an example in his life. He knew an evil man who had everything most people desire to have; wealth, power, success, health, fame, and even some admiration. He flourished like a green tree in its native soil. He suffered because of this wicked person. Then the evil man was gone, not to be found. I wonder, “How is this possible? A wicked person seems to get away with evil.”

Two types of evil exist. First, natural evils such as earthquakes, cancer, and tornadoes. Second, moral evil has its source in the choice and action of humans. The first we call evil, however this does not fall within the Biblical definition of evil. Christianity holds that evil is opposed to God and His purposes. Natural events we call evil are not causes, they are results. So to the question. If God is all-powerful and good, as the Bible affirms, why does He allow evil?

First, God limited Himself in giving people and angels freedom. To be truly human, a person must have the power of choice. Love is displayed only when we are free to choose between love and hate. Love, respect, and choice go together.

Second, humans use freedom in such a way as to bring in evil. Today I may make evil choices, that is, decisions that oppose God and His purposes. When I make this choice I am choosing not to love God.

Third, back of human revolt stood Satan. Just as the Serpent tempted Eve to sin, and Eve convinced Adam to sin; so Satan and those who sin are an every temptation to sin. It is clear, then, that God did not create evil and sin. He merely provided the options necessary for human freedom. People sinned, and before that, the fallen angels, not God for God cannot oppose himself nor his will.

Fourth, even though evil is because of human revolt and failure, God continues to be active in redeeming people from their self-imposed evil. As David attests here, God reserves his intervention in helping the righteous.

Fifth, God deals with evil through judgment and wrath.

Sixth, God deals with evil through the incarnation, the cross, and the resurrection. God’s interventions are best seen through Jesus’ willful act of allowing himself to be arrested, tried, tortured, crucified, and die for the sins of the world.

The promise is made, “Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.” Believing this from my heart is of great importance. I will see the day of judgment fulfilled with my own eyes. Do I believe it enough to live it? A lesson can be learned from Elisha’s time.

Samaria, the capital of Israel was under a long siege caused by Aram’s entire army. The king of Israel was angry at Elisha and angry at the Lord. (2 Kings 6:24-33) The king said in anger, “This disaster is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”

Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” (2 Kings 7:11) The officer sent to kill Elisha did not believe. “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”

Some lepers outside of the city decided to surrender to the Arameans. When they arrived at the camp it was deserted for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army. They ate and went back to tell Samaria. When the people heard they ran to the abandoned camp and were filled just as Elisha had said. “Now the king had put the officer on whose arm he leaned in charge of the gate, and the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king came down to his house (to kill him). (2 Kings 7:17)

Believe today. Wait today. Obey today. It is imperative to obtain the Inheritance of the Lord already assigned. “He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.”

The wind hurls snow and unearthly low howls at a thin wall charging me to stay under the protection of a comforter. Hallo whines forewarning, “He lies in wait near the village; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victim. He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off with razor incisors.” (Psalm 10:8-9)

“What beast so cruel seeks the flesh of the poor and helpless? Why do the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives?” The soul at peace has become a distant memory, merely swirling visions of a hot desert horizon. Sour eyes press the back of the skull, pools of dry pain. The brain’s heated swells beseeches the skull to break. An acid stomach violently relinquishes empty content. Strength poured out like a drink offering.

Last breath reaches for my Maker. My spirit brushed by His Spirit hears, “Your LORD will not leave him in power. I will not allow you to be condemned when brought to trial. Do not fret because of evil men. Like the grass, they will soon wither, like green plants, they will soon die away.” The Comfortor covers the anguished soul.

Jesus told his disciples after he rose from the dead to spread the good news to the ends of the earth. They did though all of them were threatened to the point of death often. Their mouths uttered wisdom though persecuted. Their tongues spoke justice though their bodies ached. They loved Jesus and his words. Jesus’ truths were in their heart though their bodies withered. They accomplished what they were commanded, some to old age, all to death by enemies of the gospel. There is no retirement from speaking wisdom.

Supply the truth to the righteous and they will benefit. Supply the truth to the fool and they will throw it back in your face, usually violently. After teaching his disciples that they should not judge others he shockingly said, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6) Those who oppose God, opposes God’s messenger. Jesus warns me to be selective on who I give the word of God. Jesus wants me to have discernment. Proverbs 9:8 says, “Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.” Yet here I am, a layman holding a job and spreading the truth on the internet to anyone led to read and listen. Though my body withers, here I am receiving more hostility than kindness and generosity. Here I am loving the truth and its origin.

The direction toward truth is often repeated in the Bible as presented in these two verses. (Psalm 34:14, 102:28; Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5) A word for turn away from evil, do what is good is repent. The gospel includes the need to feel remorse, contrition, and self-reproach for what one has done or failed to do followed by a desire and need for forgiveness and a desire to change for the better.

The truth that the Lord God loves justice only makes sense for only a loving God must possess these character traits to forgive and bless the repentant soul. Justice and the gospel go hand in hand.

Who do we like to have around us? Who do we spend time with? I want to be with those who love me and like that which I like. The Lord Jesus is the same. He has invited me to follow him, meaning to follow his ways to be like him. This is the way it was meant to be at creation. Those the Lord Jesus wants to be with he will not abandon. They are faithful to him and he is faithful to them.

The author of Hebrews wrote, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Fear of an unknown future drives people to do things that they will later regret and be ashamed of. Yet, fear of an unknown future is not the root of the problem. Fear of the unknown future is because people do not believe in the one and only God who they chose not to know and believe in. Choosing to not believe in God creates an unknown future.

Trusting in oneself to provide for oneself is scary because all know that they cannot control themselves and others all the time. “Stuff happens,” is what people used to say. The more we try to control everything the more we fret and stress. This is not good. We were not designed to live this way. We were not designed to live without the one and only true God.

A life without fear is found in a God who drives away fear. Living this way is accomplished by the righteous. The righteous are never forsaken. Those who choose to know the one and only God trust and believe in him. This causes them to be generous and lend freely. Freely they were given, freely they give. They do not fear for their children’s future either. They know God will always be there. He knows what we need. God loves and cares. We are designed to live with the one and only true God. We are to believe like little children who trust their parents.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.

A long-time best-selling fictitious book “The Pilgrim’s Progress (from This World to That Which Is to Come)” by John Bunyan was published in 1678. It tells the journey of a man named Christian who makes his way to a pivotal decision before Jesus on the cross part way through his journey. Christian leaves his heavy pack of burdens at the foot of the cross. As he continues, he meets several interesting people and for a time has a companion on his journey. His life journey on his life path leads to a diverse range of environments and sometimes he takes dangerous diversions. Eventually, he makes it to the celestial city.

I do not remember if verses 23 and 24 are quoted in the book, but they could be. I consider that I have choices to make every moment of the day. However, the situations that I am in are directed by the Lord. These verses in a sense are for everyone. However, they are more pleasant and true to the ears of those the Lord delights in. My way is directed by the Lord. However, as I reach interesting people and a diverse range of environments my thoughts, emotions, reactions, and actions are weighed by the Lord Jesus. The day is coming when I will have to give an account of how I responded. As Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit where he was tested and passed, I too am led.

What if I am led to the dangerous and terrifying? I will not stumble nor fall for the Lord Jesus upholds my hand. When Peter started walking on the water to Jesus he started to sink. Jesus reached out and pulled him up. So, Jesus reaches out to me and lifts me up. “He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. It is not by strength that one prevails…” (1 Samuel 2:9) “The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.” (Psalm 145:14-15) “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.” (Micah 7:8-9)

How do I use that which the Lord is giving me? How do I interact with others with that which the Lord gave me? Am I honest? Do I make agreements with no intent in keeping them? Do I borrow and not repay? Do I take from others for selfish reasons? Do I give generously? Do I hire making promises that I later recant?

Psalm 112:5 & 9 states, “Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice… He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.” Proverbs 11:24-26 promises, “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.”

To the Corinthians who had plenty Apostle Paul wrote about their gift to the poor and persecuted in Jerusalem, “As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

A person’s wealth is not just financial. Attention, compassion, and love are also gifts from God. Expertise and skill is more valuable than money which is in the pocket one day and stolen the next. I do not have money, but I do have something worth giving. I have life experiences with my Maker.

Perfect, in general meaning “lacking nothing essentially to the whole” and perfection, in general meaning “the quality or condition of being perfect”. These are what the righteous (12, 14, 16, 25, 29, 30, 32, 39) are portrayed as in verse 18. The Lord God Almighty paints the image of the righteous with paint and brush calling the image perfect and perfection.

“Tamim” in Hebrew (a transliteration) used in verse 18 is translated as “perfect”, “upright”, “blameless”, and “innocent people” in various English translations. “The days of the tamim are known to the LORD.”

In an imperfect society, the righteous are called “perfect”. How is this possible? Is it possible? I consider myself a disciple of Jesus, yet to be honest I believe I am not perfect. I am not referring to my physical body as that is not what the Lord God is referring to in this psalm, nor any other part of scripture when he calls the righteous perfect. Nor does it refer to morality. Perfection Biblically involves more than moral reformation of character.

When teaching about love for enemies and praying for those who persecute me Jesus concludes his words with, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Perfection is love. The Christian present is love and the Christian way is peace. Verse 37, “Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.” Perfection cannot exist without love. Perfection is love.

Perfect is an ideal state of spiritual wholeness or completeness. It is not a quality which is achieved by human effort alone, nor is it an end in itself. Christian perfection consists essentially in exercising the divine gift of love. (Holman Bible Dictionary) Colossians 3:14 states, “Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.”

The promises stated in verses 18 and 19 are for the blameless in love for God and love for neighbor. “The days of the tamim are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster, they will not wither; in days of famine, they will enjoy plenty.”

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,” declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8-9) This would be true for many, perhaps even myself when reading verses 16 and 17. Wealth is what most societies judge who is high, middle, and low class. Even Christian congregations give prominence and esteem to those who appear financially and materially blessed.

Yet much of his life, David was poor. He had little most of the time and for a while, he had nothing, depending on the charity of others. (1 Samuel 21:3-4) Jesus and the disciples were so poor and hungry that at one point they ate grain reserved for the poor. (Luke 6:1) So did Ruth and Naomi. (Ruth 2:2-3) Elijah also lived on charity of others (1 Kings 17:3) and on one occasion an angel brought him a small cake of bread. (1 Kings 19:6) What did all these have in common? They were righteous in the eyes of God and shunned by society and often the most religious people in their society. Some were wanted dead or alive.

Still here David wrote, “Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked…” This truth is witnessed by the fact that many rich were willing to leave all their wealth behind to follow Jesus. Matthew the tax collector, Zacchaeus the chief tax collector (Luke 19:2), and Simon called Peter his brother Andrew, and James and John left their family businesses to follow Jesus (Luke 18:28; Mark 1:20). Why? Because they saw and believed that being with Jesus was more precious than the wealth of the world. To this day most who follow Jesus are not considered rich by their society. The LORD upholds them for they are his righteous. We are promised, “The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth.” (Isaiah 25:8)

Several particulars about the wicked and righteous are presented in 14 and 15. The wicked are violent and militant. They intend to kill and destroy. Their heart lashes out against the poor and needy. They have little compassion beyond themselves. Their ultimate solution is to slaughter those whose way is upright.

Yet, the weapons of the wicked eventually are turned back at them. That which they used is used against them. Jesus told Peter on the night he was betrayed and arrested, “All who draw the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) The methods that helped their advance will be the cause of their retreat and distress. They eventually find themselves alone.

The righteous are defined as upright in heart. They adhere to God’s principles and teachings. They are often poor and needy. They trust in God. Thus, they do not repay evil for evil. Their wit is seen in their understanding and acceptance of the ways of the Messiah who says, “Come, follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 8:22, 10:38, 16:24, 19:21).

The righteous find the arrow of the wicked pointed at them. (11:2) Faith is tested and perfected when an arrow is pointed at a face that does not blink and will not strike back. They pray, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 13:34) They are not alone for they pour themselves out as a drink offering.

The Lord God cursed the serpent saying, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) “Enmity” in Hebrew is “eba” (a transliteration). It means hostility and hatred. A continual spiritual battle is going on. Hebrews 11:13 says the righteous are spiritual strangers and aliens to the world. The hate of sin, a constant threat is planted in God’s children’s hearts. The wicked hate the righteous as Cain hated Able and as Saul hated David. This is the nature of the ever-active spiritual battle.

“Gnash their teeth” here and in 35:16 is done in malice. (also Lamentations 2:16) The contentment the ungodly have for the righteous is no light matter. It is real and it is often. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them.

However, the Lord Jesus does not let his children alone. He is with them. God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) He knows exactly what is happening. He knows the plots of the ungodly against his children.

The Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath. (2:4-5) Strikingly, the psalmist nowhere in the psalm directly speaks of God’s active involvement in bringing the wicked down, though he hints at it in verse 22, “…those he curses will be cut off.” The certainty that the life of the wicked “will be cut off” is frequently asserted (9, 22, 28, 34, 38) and the Lord also knows it, but God’s positive action is here reserved for his care for and protection of the righteous. The life choices of the wicked bring enough destruction into the life of the wicked. The choice of life in Christ brings protection into the life of the righteous.

The contrast between the wicked and the righteous continues in these two verses. The end to the wicked is stated with certainty. That they will be no more is an absolute promise. They will vanish like the fog on an early fall morning, like the stars at dawn. Not even a trace of the wicked will be found.

The righteous are described as meek and humble. They will inherit the land. An inheritance requires someone to die. Because Jesus died for them, the meek became children of God and inherited the kingdom with him. Jesus promised, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) Zephaniah 3:12 says the meek and humble trust in the name of the LORD.

Meekness and humility go hand in hand. Meekness is defined as showing patience and humility. Gentleness and humility are a personality trait. the opposite of which is pride. Meekness does not refer to weakness or passivity but to controlled power. The meek person has the ability but does not use that ability for selfish gain or for anger and pride.

Jesus is the personification of meekness and humility. (Matthew 11:29, 12:14-21) He entered Jerusalem in humility by riding on a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:53) When Jesus was arrested Jesus stated that he could have called on his Father, and he would put at his disposal more than twelve legions of angels to rescue him. (Matthew 26:53) But he didn’t. This is humility. He had the power, but did not use it to save himself for his first mission was to fulfill the will of God, his Father. Those who are meek like Jesus will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

The ability to calmly await an outcome or a result is considered a virtue. Bearing and enduring pain, difficulty, provocation, and annoyance with calmness are said to be Christ-like. Forbearance is a skill to be learned. That is why it is so rare. Impatience and defiance are easy. Anyone can portray those. However, being patient is a required skill that most are too stubborn and lazy to master.

Silly is a person who keeps immature impatience because waiting patiently can be acquired with one easy act. All I have to do to acquire resignation is be still before the LORD Jesus. Quiet the soul. rest in him, and be silent are three elements of being still before the Lord Jesus. Surrender the fallen impulse to lose patience with God Almighty inside and I will be stilled. As the Sea of Galilee naturally obeyed Jesus’ command, “Be still.” So will my restless waves find tranquility at his commanding presence.

Being patient is annoying for the evil when seen in the righteous for what fun do they have when their plans to erode the saint’s patient faith do not work? Their self-justification is not obtained. They do not find peace. They will be cut off. So, resisting evil is refraining from anger, turning from wrath, and not fretting over the success of those who practice evil ways. Soon I will inherit the land and they will be gone. Be patient in the Lord Jesus.

Worrying about the future of self is common to the human race. Trusting that the Lord God will act on the person who trusts in him is not. Worrying is in my nature. Trusting that I will not be taken care of is not in my nature. This truth about human nature causes the soul to fall apart with worry illnesses.

Knowing this the Lord Jesus reminds me, “Entrust (Commit) your ways to the LORD. Trust him, and he will act {on your behalf}.” Young’s Literal Translation is pictorial, “Roll on Jehovah thy way, And trust upon Him, and He worketh,”

Chance, luck, and circumstance are not reality for in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28; Proverbs 16:3) Psalm 55:22 states, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” 1 Peter 5:7 states the same. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Verse 6 is specific as to what the Lord Jesus will do. “He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” Not that there is more he will do on my behalf; just that in the premises of this Psalm this specific act of God is given. Isaiah was given and gives me, “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 58:8)

If you do these things, then this will happen. This is what these verses seem to say. Is this the recipe for a reciprocating correlational relationship? Or the results of life choices because that is how God made the world to exist?

I am told to do two things in these two verses. First, Trust in the LORD and do good, and second, Delight myself in the LORD. These two directives are not meant to be like putting money into a vending machine and getting a snack and drink in return. Trusting in and delighting in the Lord are not commodities. If they are offered as a bargaining coin, then they are not sincere. Sincerity is the only true trust and delight acceptable in a loving and respectful relationship. Is a soul satisfied if the expressed emotion is not given in sincerity?

Since these verses cannot produce a reciprocating correlational relationship because they can be given without sincerity, then are these the results of life choices? Jesus’ statement helps when considering this thought, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

David is saying the same, except he states two examples of how to seek first the Lord God’s kingdom and righteousness. A person who seeks after the kingdom of God delights themself in the Lord. A person who seeks God’s righteousness first commits their way to the Lord Jesus. If I wake in the morning and know I only have one thing to do first and foremost, that is follow Jesus the rest of the day, then I will dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture, and he will give me the desires of my heart.

Psalm 37, an alphabetic acrostic (with irregularity) is an instruction in godly living. The dominant theme is who will rise from the dead to inherit the land, the wicked or the righteous. The answer is found in the contrasting beginning and ending, 1-2 and 39-40. Verses 1-2 speak of the brevity of the evil whereas verses 39-40 tell of the Lord’s help of the righteous.

The first piece of advice is, “Do not fret because of evildoers.” (NIV, KJ, ASV, YLT). Other English translation states, “Do not be agitated by evildoers” (CSB, HCSB) and “Do not be preoccupied with evildoers.” (GW). Of course, my first question is, “How to do this?” followed by, “Is it possible?” The answer is found in verse 7, “Surrender yourself to the LORD (Be still before the Lord) and wait patiently for him.” If I find myself agitated and preoccupied with evildoers I can go to Jesus for he tells me, “Come to me and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

The second piece of advice is, “Do not… be envious of those who do wrong (wicked things).” This implies that there are reasons why I can be envious of them. Usually, this is because they have wealth, power, prestige, social status, and so much appears to go their way.

Verse 1 provides the reason why I should not fret nor be envious of those who do wrong. They soon will go away and I will live forever. They will die and be forgotten just as when plants die away. As Jesus said, “Those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last.”

David, the author prays concerning the proud wicked evildoers. He desires that they be driven away. Did he actually witness that at the end of his trial they lie fallen and were not able to rise? Did he see that they had physically died? Perhaps.

Most definitely David is prophesying about the final judgment. A day is coming when all will have to give an account for the things done while in the flesh; whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Jesus taught, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ (Matthew 25:31-36, 41-43)

What does it mean to know someone? When I say, “I know him or her,” what am I saying? Am I saying I know something about them? Or perhaps, am I perceiving things about them? Maybe I am even saying, “I know all about them. I know how they think, what motivates them, their fears, what they take pleasure in, what they believe, what they think they believe, who and what they love, and who and what they hate.” I say, “I know their soul and I know their body.” However, many acquaintances, friends, family, and even spouses who say they know someone, later sometimes confess, “I guess I never really knew him or her at all.”

If I say, “I know God” as verse 10 states, “Continue your love to those who know you,” what am I saying? Jesus, speaking about the judgment to come said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” (Matthew 7:22-23) Those people obviously knew something about Jesus and even did things for his namesake. Yet, he states they did not know him, and thus he never knew them.

I know one certain way to really know a person’s soul. I cannot know them if I do not spend time interacting, that is communing with them. How can a disciple be in a state of intimate, heightened sensitivity and receptivity with the Lord Jesus?

Apostle Paul considered his past religious concepts based on his perception of God’s word rubbish. He wrote, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:8-11)

“In Your light, we will see light” is poetry magnificent. Yet, it can bewilder the impatient reader. God’s glory is described as brilliant light. (Exodus 16:7,10; 40:34-35) Moses thought it was a burning bush that was not consumed. “To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain” of the covenant. (Exodus 24:17) The shepherds who heard the message of the Messiah’s birth saw the glory of the Lord. “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” (Luke 2:9) Peter, James, and John witnessed the glory of Jesus when he went up the mountain. “There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2-3)

What is the Lord Jesus’ light? And what does it mean, “we will see light”? Apostle John wrote, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:4-5) Jesus told a crowd at the temple, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Lord’s light is the fountain of life as the sun is a source of light.

The light (glory) of the Lord is the extension of the Spirit, the source of spiritual life, the essence of living, and the essential to man’s eternal life in bliss. The light of the Lord Jesus is perfected holiness. Seeing God’s light is living in completeness. Jesus is life. “To see light” is to experience Jesus. (16:10, 27:13, 34:8,12, 49:,9,19, 89:48, 90:15, 106:5)

David elsewhere wrote, “For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” (56:13) Job 33:29-30 states, “God does all these things to a man– twice, even three times– to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him.” The Prophet Isaiah wrote of the Messiah Jesus, “After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:11)

Step into Jesus’ light and experience life like you have never before and will ever more what to experience.

A blazing sun, rain from clouds, hawks above, and prowling foxes and cats frighten young chicks. Everything frightens chicks that have only been hatched a few days prior. Fluffy feathers are no protection from danger and evil. Screeching skies, screams in a forest night, and meows from tall grasses are terrifying. Refuge is found under a parent’s wing. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

Strong gentle feathers lead chicks to feasting abundance and rivers of delight. A chick is happy and at peace from the love of Father. Lead me to your abundance. Let me drink your delights. They chirp in joy. All who hear know they are happy and safe.

Four attributes of God are revealed; love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice. Without one there is not the other. They are codependent. They encompass all the realms of creation. Human existence is not complete without them. The human heart cries when even one is missing. Without all the human spirit is dead.

The glory of God is realized in love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice. The heavenly height of God’s love is his Son giving his life on the cross. The extent of his faithfulness is displayed in the Savior hanging on a tree. The might of his righteousness is Jesus’ death for my impunity and resurrection. The depths of his justice are the equilibrium his sacrifice makes.

The sinfulness of the wicked is further described. These are the results of a person who does not fear God. The words they speak are wicked, malicious, and deceitful. (3, 10:7) They cannot be trusted. Their speech is riddled with deception. They are not wise. They do not act wisely. They do not do good. The Lord said through the prophet Jeremiah, “My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.” (Jeremiah 4:22) Night and day they plot evil.

The righteous children of God are the opposite. They meditate on God’s words day and night. As Psalm 119:55-56 states, “In the night I remember your name, O LORD, and I will keep your law. This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.” And as Apostle Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69) They commune with God at night on their bed. Psalm 63:6 states, “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.” Their night is filled with thoughts of the promises of God. Psalm 119:148 states, “My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.” What do I think about during the night? My words in the morning are the results of thoughts at night.

Reaction comes from action. Action comes from the thought. Thought comes from the heart. Verse 2 is the thought coming from the heart defined in verse 1. What is the action of such thinking? Then what is God’s reaction to those actions? For every action, there is a reaction.

Self-flattery has a self-reaction. The self-reaction to self-flattery is the inability to detect the true sinful nature of self. The self-reaction to such blindness is the inability to hate the sin I commit. Then what is God’s reaction to this action? For every action, there is a reaction.

The inability to hate the sin I commit because I blind myself to it by self-flattery that comes from a lack of fear of God has a reaction from the Lord Almighty God. For every action, there is a reaction.

God’s reaction is this: “While we were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) God demonstrates his love for us. “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” (John 12:35-36)

An oracle about the wicked came to David’s heart. An oracle is a command or revelation from God through the works of the Holy Spirit. Those anointed with the Spirit of God are in communion with God Almighty. Among other things, God speaks to those he is in communion with usually within our soul; that is the mind and heart. David was anointed by the prophet Samuel. This is when the Spirit of God first entered David.

Was David meditating on the word of God when God revealed a truth about the wicked? (The first six books of the Bible were the only ones written in David’s time.) Perhaps David was thinking about a particular person’s actions when this oracle came to him. Was David pondering why King Saul, a man also anointed by Samuel was dealing with him in such an evil manner? Maybe, David was considering if he was any different than Saul. An oracle from God may or may not have actions that precipitate it. David probably was considering Saul and the sinful nature of the human heart.

The revelation concerning the sinfulness of the wicked is this, “There is no fear of God before his eyes.” This key difference separates the righteous and the wicked even if they are both anointed. The righteous fear the Lord God and the wicked have no dread of God before his eyes. The Apostle Paul used this fact to conclude the truth that all are alike under sin; no matter race, age, social place, gender, or location. (Romans 3:9, 16)

Enemies of the children of God will express great, often malicious, pleasure and self-satisfaction when they see the children of God in distress, especially due to their actions and lies. When this happened to David he asked that his enemies be put to shame, confusion, and disgrace when he was vindicated. And David was vindicated. The Lord responded to his prayer by delivering David with truth in the company of his enemies. All knew the Lord had worked a miracle on David’s behalf when the truth exposed their lies.

The children of God delighted in David’s vindication. The defense in the form of evidence and argument was brought forward that justified David and exposed the lies. David did not back down when the enemies spoke lies. He did not adopt their lies. He stood for truth.

When the truth is revealed the children of God say, “The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.” “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:31-32, 34-36

The Lord sees and yet he is silent. He waits. He knows and yet he does nothing. He remains far from me. The Lord appears to sleep while I am in distress. I am falsely put to shame and disgrace and the Lord does not defend me. This is what David experienced. This is what David pleads will end.

Why does God wait? Why does he do nothing? Why doesn’t he stop this? How can he sleep? “Master, Master, we’re going to drown! Don’t you care that we are about to drown?” (Luke 8:24)

Desperation can lead to despair. Despair can lead to depression. Depression can lead to hopelessness. Hopelessness can be just before the end. I don’t want to go to the end. I just want this to end and I go beyond. Bring me beyond the end Lord.

Several reasons why the Lord does not act on my behalf are possible. I know many possible reasons. And I know all of them are for my good. Does the why matter, O you of little faith? I have to accept and be content with where I am at. I pray for deliverance. I pray, “Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. Let this end and me walk away a free man.”

Jesus quoted verse 19 to his apostles on the night he was betrayed. John 15:25 records his word, “But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.'” (John 15:25) Enemies without cause and hate without reason are common in the Psalter. (38:19, 69:4, 109:3, 119:78, 86, 161, and especially 69:4) Hate without cause for Jesus’ disciples is common to this day.

Jesus had been explaining and foretelling the world’s hate for his disciples when he quoted David. “If the world hates you,” he told them, “keep in mind that it hated me first.” (John 15:18) The people who have hate-produced actions are defined in these verses. David and Jesus experienced the same hateful actions from the same kind of people. Time is not changing the human heart. They gloat (19), maliciously wink the eye (19), do not speak peacefully (20), devise false accusations (20), and rejoice when they can justify their hate (21, 25).

Jesus’ and David’s reaction to hate without reason are examples to follow. First, they were not surprised. Secondly, they did not respond to hate with hate. They did not argue or plot revenge. They relied on God. They cried out to the Almighty, “O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord.” Lastly, we know that we are not alone for all Jesus’ followers experience hate without cause at times in their lives.

Is David bargaining with God? David’s troubled life remains, so David seems to present an if-then contract to God. Is it wrong to present an accord, that is an exchange agreement with God?

Here and elsewhere it seems that David is presenting a contract to God. David is not the only one. Gideon’s fleece experiment is similar, except his is a proof-contract. (Judges 6:36-40) David’s proposition is also a kin to but quite different than a prosperity-contract. That is why those who followed Jesus after the feeding of the five thousand tried to make him king by force. They were seeking the prosperity that they believed he would give. “We will make you king if you give us free food every day,” was their intent. Jesus’ reproof remains true for that is not faith. (John 6:14-15, 26-28)

David’s presented agreement appears to be that if the Lord rescues him, he will give the Lord thanks in the great assembly. Or perhaps it is the other way around. David will praise God in the great assembly, and then the Lord must rescue him. In other words, David is saying, “Lord, amongst a large crowd I will praise you. When I do so rescue me.”

The latter seems not likely because David is on the run from people chasing as lions chase prey. Therefore, he is unable to appear openly amongst a great crowd. So, here David’s presented contract is rescue me, then I will praise you. Some call this a “trench prayer”.

No matter which the fact remains. David is presenting an if-then contract to God. So the question remains. Is presenting an exchange-contract possible, let alone righteous? Is presenting a compact to God any different than the covenants God presents to man? Can man present a righteous covenant with God?

Problems with presenting contracts to The Almighty God exist. First, what if life circumstances do not change? Will the party presenting the contract refuse to praise the one who is worthy of all praise? Another conitation is, am I in any position to make any covenant with God? The only thing I have to present as collateral to the Lord God who owns all is faithful praise from a sincere heart. Being that God is whole unto himself he does not need anyone’s praise and blessing. The only one who benefits from praise is myself. David’s side of the contract, though not easy to accomplish is a trifle to El Shaddai (God Almighty).

If I present a contract such as David, similar to an ultimatum, does it not indicate that my heart is not righteous? What I mean is will a righteous heart present the possibility that they will withhold praise until God keeps his part of the contract? Is this a form of prosperity gospel? Prosperity gospel practically says God owes me prosperity if I tithe in faith. Is both an if-then contract and prosperity gospel in conflict with sincere praise and love?

David’s words reflect what would happen to Jesus, the Son of David centuries later. “Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about,” is witnessed in Matthew’s and Mark’s gospels. “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two came forward and declared, ‘This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ Yet even then their testimony did not agree.”(Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-59) Luke’s gospel records lies the religious assembly said about Jesus before Governor Pilate. (Luke 23:1-2, 4-5, 13-17)

If I go about doing good and even perform miracles that benefit people’s lives as David (12-14) and Jesus did (Acts 2:22), I should not expect that they will return the kind favor. The probability exists because of our sinful nature that they will repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn (nearly hopeless). (12)

I learn here to not do good to get good in return. Dale Carnegie preached in his book that doing good for self-profit will be in my favor. If I do as he says I may be forsaken and deprived of hope when I stumble and others gather in glee and/or attackers gather against me when I am unaware. (15)

Jesus taught, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3-4) Further to the point he concluded the parable about duty, “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'” (Luke 17:10) Doing good to others is the human duty, not an advantage to self.

The world has many rich who obtained their wealth by robbing others. (10) One moment the hard work, perspiration, ingenuity, and perseverance that brought me the desires of my heart can be taken by those too strong for me. Fugitive David experienced this. The rage of a jealous king in a moment took away the family, security, and life that David had obtained. God’s gifts given to David were suddenly out of reach; taken away by evil intent.

The character formed during the good times determines how a person responds when left with nothing. Those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality through Jesus will continue to do so even when poverty is their new reality. (Romans 2:7) “In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.” (Proverbs 12:28) Fugitive David continued to apply Jesus’ life principles when the trouble began. The desire to live righteously was his learned dominant character impulse. The soul can learn to resist the sinful nature with continued pursuit and determined faith in God. King Saul never learned this.

David continued to pray. He called out to God in faith and sincerity. He never blamed God. He did not show contempt towards God when all became nothing. He did not hate others. He did not give up on God. He believed that the Lord would hear him. He waited for deliverance. He vowed that with God’s deliverance, “then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation. My whole being will exclaim, ‘Who is like you, O LORD?” Faith practiced in good times will prepare me for inconvenience.

David asks the Lord Jesus in prayer to turn upside down the circumstances in his life. He wants those who once he trusted and lived with, the same ones who now seek his life to be put to disgrace and shame. He asks that those former family and friends who now plot his ruin to lose their resolution to do evil. Instead of pursuing him, he calls for angels to pursue them. He wants the trap they set for him to spring on them. David wants this to end not in his death, but in new happy beginnings for all.

David will not lift a finger against them because he should not be the one to attack the malicious. However, he does ask that the troublemakers be driven into a place that causes a change in their lives.; that they experience what they are doing to him, hoping they can be saved. Sometimes ruin and disaster are the best means to save a soul from malediction.

David shows compassion to those who seek his ruin. Jesus said, “Pray for those who persecute you.” To do so takes wisdom, faith, and love. To do so does not mean that I do not pray for deliverance for myself. To pray this means to pray for reconciliation and resolution.

“How to mend a broken soul,” is what I should be asking? How can someone who seeks evil be converted to a peaceful and blessed person? How can this end where all are saved? This puzzle must have been on David’s mind when he resolved not to fight against those seeking him harm. The answers to these questions were certainly on Jesus’ mind when he allowed himself to be arrested, tried, tortured, and crucified for the salvation of the world. David’s prayer is a “Woe to you,” request resulting in salvation for the damaged soul.

Once again, David calls on the Warrior Heavenly King to contend against his opponents, “Fight against those who fight against me.” David was a capable warrior from a young age. The battles he fought were against Israel’s enemies and invaders. Yet, these pursuing enemies were different. They were Israelites, acquaintances with whom he had shown only the most tender friendship. David did not fight them.

The Lord God told Israel, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” (Deuteronomy 32:35) Jesus taught, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39) Furthermore, he also taught, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:43-45)

David did not fight against those who hated him. David did not strike an ally turned enemy. David prayed for God to take up shield and buckler; arise and come to his aid. There is a time for everything under the sun. Sometimes the Lord God calls me to fight for his good purposes. Other times I wait for the Lord Jesus to avenge me. In all situations, I am to not hate, but to love and trust the Lord. Now again I find a target on my back. I ask as David, “Lord say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation.'”

Verse 20, “he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken,” is fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross for the world’s sins. (John 19:36) Jesus died at the end of Friday. According to the Hebrew calendar, the day ended and started at sunset. The Jews did not want the bodies of the dead to be hanging on the cross on Sabbath, especially since it was a special Sabbath called the Day of Preparation. (John 19:31)

To hasten death the legs of the crucified were broken because to breathe the crucified needed to push their body up. When they came to Jesus the soldiers found that Jesus was already dead. So they didn’t break his leg bones. Hence, this scripture along with Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12 foretold that the Messiah’s legs would not be broken. Every detail of Jesus’ life and death was planned out beforehand.

Jesus was crucified. I am redeemed. I will not be condemned. Jesus told his servants that we also would have trouble because of him. He said, “Take heart I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Because he endured the cross with its suffering and shame and then three days later rose from the dead, I know that I will rise from the dead as he did. The Lord will deliver me from my troubles.

“Where are you God?” can be the cry of the righteous brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. For the righteous also cry out and the Lord hears them. The Apostles experienced the same as David. They were pursued and sought after by people wanting them dead and gone, usually for personal gain.

King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. (Acts 12:1-4) The eyes of the LORD were on the apostles. James went to be with the Lord and Peter escaped.

Before this Stephen was stoned to death and a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem. Jesus said that those who believed in him would be persecuted. And the apostles and disciples were just as David and the prophets before them.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry. The righteous cries out and the Lord hears them. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit. When persecuted pray and rejoice for the way of the cross leads home.

David, the author of the Psalm speaks as one among the wise while living with life amiss. “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” His wisdom is spoken by other prophets. Reading some of the verses concentrates the meditation of the soul.

James 3:17-18 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

Hebrews 12:14-15 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.”

2 Corinthians 13:11 “…Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Speaking about how to respond if married to an unbeliever Apostle Paul wrote, “But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.” (1 Corinthians 7:15)

Apostle Paul also instructs the church, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” And this is what David was doing when King Saul tried to kill him. This is what David was living when the King of Gath turned him away.

In doing so, David was a Son of God for Jesus promised, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” (Matthew 5:9-13)

Who should I pray for that is doing me harm and trying to destroy me, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do?”

David was in a time in his life when he lived hand to mouth. When he fearfully fleed King Saul’s household he had nothing except the clothes on his back. Serving the King was his livelihood. Now he did not know where his next meal was coming from nor where he would lay his head at night. Still, living on the boundary of need he claims he received every good thing needed. “…those who fear the Lord… those who seek the Lord lack no good thing,” he proclaims to all the saints.

Using the words of a sage he continues, “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. I once heard a Bible teacher with a seminary degree ask a group of Christian men, “Someone tell me what fear of the Lord means. Seriously, I do not know nor understand what this is.” David answers, “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

Jesus taught, “…the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:26-27) Jesus’ peace is inner contentment, serenity, and peace of mind and heart that comes from the Holy Spirit.

A different food is on a menu newly introduced to me. Others say that it is a delight to experience. “Taste and see that it is good, it is very good.” I do not know because I have never tried it. “Can these reviews be true? I have been disappointed before,” I say to myself. “Remember that super-delight, ‘guaranteed to please’. I suffered for what seemed like a lifetime.”

Reading the menu I see the fare has some of my favorite ingredients and others I had never heard of before. “You will be blessed by the experience,” the waiter invites. Hunger drives me. I am famished. No nutrition was found in the previous provisions.

“What if I do not like it?”

“You will not be disappointed. The delectable provision uniquely suits everyone’s needs, desires, and hopes. Taste and see that it is good. A blessing to the famished.”

Intrigued I tell the waiter I would like a taste of the fare. An old dish with an ancient recipe aboard is placed before me. The appearance is tantalizing. The smells are eye brightest. It says to me, “I am the bread of life. He who partakes of me will never be hungry. He who drinks will never go thirsty.”

That is why I have become a waiter for the bread of life. Now I say to you, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. For I have and I testify that these words are true. The Lord Jesus is good.”

David experienced fear to the core of his soul. Fear was born when King Saul threw a spear at him. Fear grew into adolescence when he had nowhere to lay his head and nothing to eat. Fear reached adulthood when he was recognized as an enemy at the gate of Gath. Though fear threatened to force him into submission it did not live eternally.

David sought the LORD and he answered him. Fear ceased to exist. The LORD delivered him from all his fears. When fear grew in his heart a shadow on his face appeared. When the Lord’s presence entered his soul, radiance replaced the shadow on his countenance. Those who look to the Lord are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. The Lord Jesus answered the prayers of the distressed.

Saul’s pursuit did not cease. However, Saul could not find nor harm David for the angel of the LORD encamped around David who feared the Lord Jesus. David was delivered. Those who trust and fear the Lord more than the things of this world experience the loving deliverance of the Lord.

David was fleeing King Saul who tried to pierce him with a spear. The king wanted David dead for jealousy. The Lord God made David successful when fighting Israel’s enemies. According to the people, the king was to fight battles for them and the Lord allowed this. However, Saul grew tired and fearful of fighting battles. David was not afraid and continued to fight every year. The Lord made him successful. So Saul was jealous and tried to kill David.

David fled Saul. First, he went to the priests of the Lord who provided food. Then David went to the king of Gath where he grew fearful because he was recognized as the one who fought against him. To escape, David pretended to be insane.

David was able to fool the king of Gath. He escaped to no man’s land. The result was this psalm of praise. Though afflicted, homeless, and saught by the king of Israel David extolled the Lord. He wrote, “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” No human reason exists to explain why singing boasts and praises to the Lord when life is completely miserable sprouts joy. Yet I have experienced this. Join David in praising the Lord.

Most plans, engagements, opportunities, and suffering are spent waiting. I wait without choice for a plan to unfold successfully. I wait without choice for an engagement to begin perfectly. I wait without choice for the opportunity to pay off fully. I wait without choice for the suffering to end and be forgotten.

Little in life is more hungry than waiting. Waiting consumes most of my time and if I let it, waiting will consume my mind, emotions, and strength. Waiting tries to consume my peace. Waiting is little fish constantly nibbling my soul. Waiting tries to become my master. Waiting does not have to be the unavoidable tool of the devil. Waiting in righteous hope can be the tool that rejoices with me when waiting is done.

Waiting involves time. Time is a creation of the Lord Almighty. Waiting, an arm of time was therefore created by God Almighty. Waiting is an important part of life for the servant of the Lord for waiting can produce good fruit. Waiting should involve hope as the ocean involves fish. Waiting can include hope if I permit it. Waiting, trust, and hope in the Lord is a part of the life of the servant of the Lord.

The Lord through Apostle Paul wrote, “We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:2-5)

What or who do I trust to bring me through any and all life situations? Whether trouble or ease who or what do I rely on? Where is my strength, will, cunning, and hope? When death’s vast army marches towards me from all directions where is my hope for deliverance? Hope in self melts like ice on summer’s hot pavement and evaporates into memory. The person who sets their heart and mind to be their sovereign ruler, does vanity remain when confronted with distress and sure doom? When vengeance arrives in force how do I face its extreme?

David a warrior before being king declares, “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.” My fortitude cannot withhold against all that life has in store for me. A mountain always rises that I cannot remove or avoid.

So what to do? What hope can be born? Hope in the Lord for, “The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” When confronting the large and mighty forces of the Promised Land in faith, Joshua believed the Lord Jesus who stated, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” King Zerubbabel was told by the Lord Almighty through his prophet, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” (Zechariah 4:6)

The Lord God’s power in creation merges into his sovereign control of human history. The Lord God’s attention to the working details in creation merges with his attention to the details of every person and nation, their individual and collective soul’s emotions, thoughts, and will. He who forms the hearts of all considers everything we do. He knows us even better than we know ourselves and acts accordingly for the well-being of ourselves.

The Lord God does not allow the will of the human heart to spin downward into the depths of depression, misery, and hell without intervention. He does not force his creation into submission to our best life course. Rather, he gives us choices allowing us to make the right step-by-step choice, the better choices. The Lord Jesus does not force us into submission. He tells us and shows us the right and good life. Blessed is the nation and person whose God is the Lord, the people he chooses for his inheritance. The people who accept his good plans. The people who accept him.

The plans of the Lord God stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. The plans of the Lord’s heart are good for mankind, good for the nation, good for the person. If a nation or an individual rejects the sovereign plans of the Lord, if they make plans to counter the Lord God’s plans, then the Lord God foils the plans of the nations. He thwarts the purposes of the people. The plans of the Lord cannot be stopped, altered, or subverted. The plans of the Lord God do and will happen for they are for the good of those who follow his good and perfect will. The choice is mine for a better life or for my lesser plan.

The Word of God is the ultimate power. Genesis chapter one and Psalm 3:6-9 reveal that from the formless, empty, and dark depth the Word of God spoken made all we know and experience. “For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.” The Word of God brought light from darkness.

The Word of God was with God and was God in the beginning. (John 1:1-3, 14) The Word became flesh and was given the name Jesus a little over two thousand years ago. Jesus, the Word of God speaks and it happens. Something good from nothing.

Jesus spoke and a raging sea whipped by a furious wind immediately calmed. The wind immediately ceased to exist. He spoke and a boy who was dead and being carried to his gravesite stood up full of life. He spoke and the lame, sick, demon-possessed, and blind were healed. He spoke and a fruitless fig tree withered. Jesus’ words were listened to and believed and they changed messed up, hopeless, miserable lives wrathed in pain and suffering into pleasant, joyful, hopefully, content souls. Everything is possible with the Word of God! Nothing is impossible for the Word of God!

Let the ultimate power dwell in and change a formless, empty, and dark soul and life. “What does it the Lord say? ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:8-9) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16) Live with and according to the Word of God and the pain and suffering will quiet down and cease to exist. The Word of God is the ultimate power.

The Lord’s character is revealed in these two verses. He is right. He is true. He is faithful in all he does. He is righteousness. He is justice. He is love. He pours out his love on all the earth.

Being right means being in accordance with fact, reason, and truth. Jesus is fitting, proper, and appropriate. Jesus always has the right answer and is the right answer.

Being true means he is consistent with fact and reality. Jesus is the true one and he is truthful. Jesus is real and genuine. He is reliable and accurate to reality.

Being faithful means he is adhering firmly and devotedly to a person, a cause, and an idea. Jesus is worthy of trust and belief. He is reliable. He is always here.

Being righteousness means being morally upright, without guilt, and sin. Jesus is in accordance with virtue and morality. He is perfect in character. God is holy, holy, and holy.

Being justice means he is moral righteousness. Jesus conforms to moral righteousness in action and attitude. He upholds what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, truth, and law.

Being love means having a deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward others. Jesus’ love is displayed in this, while I was still a sinner in rebellion against him he died so I could live life to the full. (1 John 3:16) Jesus poured out his love when his blood poured onto the cross. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing,” is Jesus’ expression as he hung on the cross. (Luke 23:34)

The psalm begins with a three-verse stanza as a call to joyfully praise the Lord in song. The declaration from the choir goes to the congregation of the righteous in an uplifting melody. Perhaps Apostle Paul was thinking of this psalm as he wrote, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:19-20)

As the instrument of David and the Levites, the lyre (aka “harp” in Hebrew is “kinnor”) was employed in both secular and sacred settings. A popular instrument throughout the Ancient Near East, the lyre was often used to accompany singing. The number of strings on the lyre could vary; its basic shape was rectangular or trapezoidal. The psalm specifies a ten-stringed harp.

The psalm is a happy song that perhaps fulfills the promise made in 7:17. David promised, “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” The psalm is a new song. I am not a genius composer. Yet, I can still write new words and hum a new melody as a praise offering to the Lord.

As a beginner, I will need much repetitive practice to become skilled in praising God. This psalm instructs me to practice until I am skilled in the craft of a musician and a singer. Perhaps, I’ll never be very good to other’s ears. Yet, I should always seek to better my skills so I can present a fragrant offering in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to the Lord God.

The Lord Jesus’ unfailing love surrounds those who trust in him like a thick quilt a grandmother made for me to shield me from the cold winter air. In verse 7 David said the Lord surrounds him with songs of deliverance. Listen to the pleasant kiss of a melody, the gentle touch to the musical soul, these are like the warmth of the heart the Lord’s love ignites to shield from sins’ shivering breath.

Many are the woes of the wicked who throw love’s quilt to the ground and turn off the heart-moving melody. Their stubborn reliance on self brings an inharmonious combination of depressing tones and shivering fear. The most insignificant discomfort becomes a prime concern that reoccurs in thought and action. The love of God accepted is love for self and others.

“Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”

A ride in an open field with views of floating white clouds, blue skies, lush trees, grey mountains, a glistening river flowing into a reflective lake, and a person loved is an afternoon warmth. The rider knows his destination and the reason for the course. The horse however does not understand the purpose nor reason of the journey. Can a mule know the best course? They must be controlled by the bit and bridle or they will not come to and with you. God’s servants must be wiser than beasts, more open to God’s will than horses and mules are to the will of their masters.

“Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: ‘I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.’ Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness– only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil.” (Isaiah 1:2-6)

David, the author of this psalm is addressing the people of God. He tells them to confess to God if they have sinned like he did. They are not to keep quiet as he had done and suffered for it. He held his sins in and was distressed until he prayed to God.

Apostle John wrote, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2) And Isaiah the prophet wrote, “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call to Him while He is near. Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, so He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will freely forgive.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

Is there a time when my prayers will not be heard, that is they will not be acted upon by God? What are the mighty waters that rise? David poetically says, “Do not bring unconfessed sin to the grave.” While I am physically alive I will find forgiveness for any sin I have committed if I am sincere and have faith in the name of Jesus, the Messiah. However, when my physical body dies it will be to late to confess sin and ask for forgiveness. Now is the time to fall under the mercy and grace of God before I sink into the mighty waters of the grave.

This psalm’s message is the relieved and happy state of the forgiveness of sin. Verse 5 is the focal. David acknowledged his sin to God. God forgave him. He was delighted and told everyone. This has been, is, and will be the true action-reaction for everyone. Romans 10:9-11 states the same, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'”

The Hebrew verbs translated as “forgave” are “nasa” and “nacah” which literally means “bear”, “take away”, “carry away”, and “lift”. Apostle Paul wrote, “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.'” (Romans 11:26-27) The Apostle John wrote, “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” (1 John 3:4-6)

Many years ago I confessed my sin and asked the Lord Jesus to take away my sin. I experienced something I had not known, the forgiveness of sin, the birth of my spirit. Oh, what a joyous and pleasant state. I will never forget what he has done. I tell others.

Sin festers the soul when a confession of guilt is not spoken. Bones waste away through groaning. The hand of guilt weighs heavy. Macbeth’s conscience forces the continual washing of blood that is not present. The hand of God lays heavy. “The wrath of God is (being) revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Romans 1:18) The strongest and bravest feel their strength poured out as in the heat of summer. A guilty mind will not free the soul with a stubborn refusal to acknowledge sin.

The consequence of sin is as real as the effects of gravity, magnetism, and the heart of a young man with a maiden. The one who ignores inhibition will also be unable to ignore the consequences.

David experienced this when he sinned and kept silent. His spirit was full of deceit. He did not own up to his part. He did not keep his side of the street clean. He falsely blamed others for his dire state. Psalm 31:10 confesses, “My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my sin, and my bones grow weak.” And Psalm 38:8 accepts, “I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.” Finally, Psalm 39:10-11 declares, “Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand. You rebuke and discipline men for their sin; you consume their wealth like a moth– each man is but a breath.”

Without admittance, there is no relief from sin.

“Imputed! Imputed! Imputed!” “Pesha! Pesha! Pesha!” “You are guilty of ‘pesha'”! (transgression) “Hata’a! Hata’a! Hata’a!” (sin) “You are guilty of ‘hata’a!'” “Pronounce the ‘awon’! Pronounce the ‘verdict!'” So says the incriminator.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! What say you Host High God?” So says the odious.

“One who is omnipotent. I am as I am accused. I am transgression. I am sin. I am guilty. I have violated your way. I have rebelled against truth and good. I can deceive no more. I am the fault. I can deny it no more. I accept I have wronged you. I have wronged all around me. I have wronged myself. I charge myself with fault and responsibility. I have my fill of filth. Either end me or end the filth in me. You can end me or make me whole. Into your hands, I commit my fate and spirit. Forget or forgive. Cover me with dirt, or cover my sins. Count me as sin no longer to exist, or count my sin as no longer to exist. What you say I accept for I cannot go on this way anymore. I am disgusted with it all. I am disgusted with myself. The incriminator has spoken the truth. I ask for grace and mercy. Any verdict from you will be the best for me.”

“I am truth. I am life. I am just. I am righteousness. I am omnipotent. I am God Almighty. Into my hands, I have been given by my Father life and death. I am that I am. I say unto you, ‘Esher. Blessed. Forgiven. Covered. Your sin,’ says the Lord, ‘does not count against you. Go and sin no more.'”

One proverb and two commands are how the psalm ends. The proverb is simple and direct, “The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.” The faithful, as laid out in this psalm adhere firmly and devotedly to the Lord Jesus. They have a steadfast adherence to God even though entrapped by the wicked. The faithful trust in God while the proud trust in themselves.

The proud refuse to live in humble reliance on the Lord. They arrogantly try to make their way in the world either as a law to themselves or by relying on false gods. Thus, the proud and the wicked are the same. When they see someone faithful to the Lord and the truth of God they resent and despise them. They entrap them to harm them. The Lord pays back in full the evil committed by the proud. The Lord keeps and protects his faithful.

A command is given, yet not needed, “Love the LORD, all His faithful ones.” Still, when surrounded by the wicked sometimes I need to be reminded to love the Lord, be strong, and be courageous. Joshua was reminded by the Lord to be courageous when he was about to lead Israel into the land the Lord told him to go into. (Joshua 1)

Hezekiah reminded the people, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8) So I am reminded and I put my hope in the Lord Jesus.

The Lord had yet again shown his wonderful love to David. He praised the Lord. How had the Lord shown his love for David? David personally experienced the Lord’s love in a real-life circumstance.

The well-planned-out conspiracy against David seemed to him like he was in a besieged city. There was nowhere to escape and nowhere to hide. The circle of enemies was slowly moving in. He wanted to approach God at his footstool, the ark, and in the tent of meeting. However, he was entangled in a spider’s web. In his alarm, David said, “I am cut off from your sight!”

David did not say that the Lord sent his enemies to entrap him. He did not say, “God has brought these evil people into my life to entrap me and ruin me.” Nor did he believe that his wits and good luck had enabled him to escape the trap the Lord had placed him in. Rather, David knew that the Lord had allowed his enemies to besiege him so that David could experience the power and love of God in a very personal way. David had known and experienced God and his love.

After teaching and feeding the five thousand Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and go on ahead of him to the other side of the lake. (Matthew 14:22, Mark 6:45) Jesus knew what he was doing and he knew what would happen in the middle of their lake journey. Jesus did not go with them. Violent waves suddenly encircled them. There was no way to escape. When the storm came they believed they were cut off the Jesus. If they cried out they believed he would not hear them. Jesus did not send his disciples into what would become a dangerous life event to physically die. Rather, he sent them in to emotionally and spiritually grow. He sent them to learn compassion they did not have for the crowd. Most importantly, he wanted them to experience his love in a very personal way.

When entrapped by life-threatening spider webs I can experience God’s love and grow if I believe in his always reachable love.

Goodness and good are words that have several meanings and uses, are understood when stated, and yet are hard to define. When David says, “How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you,” what is he saying?

Having the quality of being good can be subjective. Like I may say a certain food is good and yet another person may not like it at all. Or perhaps a vendor may say a certain item has goodness packed into it, but when I try it I may totally disagree. The goodness they may be referring to might be nutrition despite taste. And for me having good nutritional values may not outweigh having an unpalatable taste.

David’s claims in these two verses are stated as absolute truths. That is, through the Spirit, God is saying these things are true goodness for everyone who practices them. He is promising me that if I fear him and take refuge in him, then he will store up great goodness for me, and at the right time he will bestow that goodness to me in the sight of men. He also promises as I take refuge in him he will keep me safe in his dwelling from accusing tongues.

Previous Psalms stated, “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.” (27:5-6) and, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (32:7)

What does “I trust in the LORD” mean? When I say, “You are my God,” what am I declaring? I suppose in part it depends on the circumstances. Like David’s circumstances. A well-planned conspiracy seemed to be his dome. So when David said, “My times are in your hands…” he was declaring that the LORD, not the conspirators was in control of his life. If the Lord wanted to deliver him he would. If the Lord wanted the conspiracy to succeed and he end in ruin, then it would.

However, David trusted in the Lord. He asked the Lord to shine on his servant. He knew God loved him and so he asked to be saved. Though it may not have looked like it, David knew that the Lord could save him even now when all looked like failure. When I say to Jesus, “You are my God,” I can cry out to him for help and deliverance. I know his will is the best, and I can trust in his unfailing love for me.

Although the poetry is artistic light, the subject is bleak darkness. On an early blue sky spring morning with the promise of laughter and pleasing midday trices, I do not want to identify and personalize David’s recap of anguish and groaning yet again.

Although modern society idealized David’s accomplishments as a mythical genius, his words in the Psalms recap a much different reality. The beauty of David’s life is not someone’s stone carving or paint brush strokes. Rather, it is his faith and trust in the Lord his God in the middle of constant strength failing in affliction and bones growing weak because of his many enemies.

Yet, the subject of David’s psalm is not himself. Rather, they are his thanksgiving praise of a God who never fails. Though surrounded by evil and enemies and rejected by neighbors and friends, God is always there with David and delivers him from all his troubles. The distress described: He is utterly drained physically and emotionally, all his friends have abandoned him like a piece of broken pottery, and all this because a conspiracy against him is so strong. Yet, David’s God does not abandon him.

Though today is sunny blue laughter, tomorrow may be dingy dark sobs. Through it all, my God is with me. Though today may be relaxing, tomorrow may be strengthless afflictions. Therefore, I will be reminded of Hebrews 13:5-6. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'”

“Be merciful to me, O LORD,” David requests. “Mercy,” is a common plea to the Lord. Mercy is compassionate treatment, especially of those under one’s power. Mercy is a disposition to be kind and forgiving. Care for others, especially the disfortunate is a practice found in Biblical mercy.

The biblical concept of mercy always involves helping those in need or distress. Such help covers a broad range, from finding a bride to God’s forgiveness of sin. A wide vocabulary is employed in the original Hebrew and Greek to express these concepts, and an even wider vocabulary is found in English translations.

David’s need for mercy is great for his distress due to enemies makes his eyes grow weak with sorrow, and his soul and body with grief. God is indeed merciful. To Moses, he said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (Exodus 33:19) The Lord, who has compassion promises his people, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” (Isaiah 54:10)

Jesus embodies God’s mercy, Matthew 9:36 records, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” When his disciples grew weary they wanted to send the people away because no one had eaten. Jesus displayed mercy as he said to them, “I have compassion for these people…. They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16, 15:32) Then through a miracle, he fed thousands with five loaves and two fish.

I am to be like Jesus. Colossians 3:12-14 instructs me, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

David claims four facts. He knows them to be true. First, he does not associate with those who cling to worthless idols. He even goes as far as to say he hates them for they lead people astray into vanity. They are excessively proud of their accomplishments and appearance. They worship themself. As Jonah sang in the belly of the whale, “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” (Jonah 2:8)

Second, David trusts in the Lord. Though traps were set for him and everyone abandoned him, David trusted in the deliverance of the Lord. All was bleak, but he knew God was with him. Even in death, he trusted the Lord would not abandon him to a grave. He trusted God would raise him from the dead.

Third, opposing the first claim he states, “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.” The love of God is made real for David because God identifies with and knows the affliction and anguish of his soul. Several previous psalms go into detail. David waited on God. His faith was not in vain because he was rescued. Faith is revealed through patient trust in God.

Lastly, for much of David’s life, he was pursued by men who hated him and wanted him dead. Several times there was no escape visible. He was boxed in. Yet, every time David escaped and ended up in open spaces. He could breathe relief. Remembering God’s interaction in my life gives me hope for the future.

David’s plea for delivery from a trap that has ensnared him contains a prayer that was repeated by Jesus while on the cross. The last words before Jesus gave up his spirit were, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he said this he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)

This simple and direct prayer was rooted in faith in the God of truth. Those who share in Jesus’ sufferings and persecution at the hands of anti-Christian forces are encouraged to pray and sing this psalm as David and Jesus did.

Stephen boldly witnessed to others about Jesus and his gospel in the temple, was arrested, and then witnessed the truth to the Sanhedrin. “Your fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt… You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!.. They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. and now you have betrayed and murdered him…” (Acts 6 & 7)

“When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:54-60)

Since then many others prayed, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” One does not need to be on the cross or be pelted by stones to pray this in faith.