 What are you supposed to do when you feel you are a million miles from God? There is no sense of His presence and your situation is one where you are hurting badly. Where do you turn? The answer from Psalm 61 may surprise you when you read it today.
David wrote the 61st Psalm at the inspiration of God – even though he felt like he was at the end of the earth – and God was thousands of miles away. Actually, David was not more than 50 miles from Jerusalem. The problem was that he felt like he was at the ends of the earth from God Himself. He was running from his son Absalom, who wanted to kill him and be king in his place. So the “ends of the earth” statement is more a spiritual description – or maybe an emotional one. Regardless of this David felt a world amount of distance from God. Who did David turn to at this point? He turned to God. One of the first things we need to remember when we “feel” a million miles from God is that this is how we “feel” – it is not a hard, cold fact. So the best thing to do is to tell God in prayer how we feel. That is what David did. He cried out to God and called to him – even though he felt like he was calling from the ends of the earth. If we allow emotional reasoning to keep us from God, we are going to wind up feeling even more hopeless. But, on the other hand, if we don’t own up to how we feel, I seriously doubt we will get much of anywhere with God. Let’s be honest. God is omniscient. It is not like He is clueless as to our thinking. So what we need to start with is to cry out to Him, letting Him know honestly where we are at the moment. That is what David did. “Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint . . . “ He said he felt like this when his heart was “faint.” The Hebrew word here refers to something that is covered over and around and under. David’s heart was so covered with his situation that he could not see. But even if he was at the end of the earth – he was going to call on God. His next statement is the source of many Christian songs. “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” What a beautiful prayer. He knew at the “ends of the earth” he was not going to get to God on his own. So he cries out for God to lead him. God is the rock that is higher. God was stability and strength. He was higher and infinitely more stable than David. So David asked for God to bring him to where the Rock was located. In the next several verses of Psalm 61 David begins remembering Who God is. This is not the first time he’s been in a difficult situation – and God has come through every time. He remembers that God is his refuge – his tower of strength – his shelter. So David asks for God to bring him to His “tent.” This is a reference to the tabernacle – the place in Jerusalem where God dwelt between the Cherubim on top of the Ark. God was not limited to there – but in the history of Israel – God was more than able to take care of Himself and His stuff from there. When men rebelled against God and Moses – God wiped the entire group out as fire went out from His presence and killed every one of them. When a couple of drunken priests wanted to defile the worship place of God with their drunken stupor – God struck both of them dead with fire that consumed them. The lesson learned for all time – do not mess with God in the tent! David asked to be brought there – forever! This was also the place where God’s presence dwelt – and so what David was truly asking for was to be in God’s presence forever – for he knew that was the safest place on earth – or honestly – anywhere! As David prayed . . . as David meditated on Who God is . . . his heart was no longer smothered over by his circumstances. He was no longer a slave to his feelings and emotional reasoning. This was replaced by Biblical reasoning. David stops and writes, “selah” which means basically – stop and consider what I’ve said. From this point – the entire psalm changes in perspective and in attitude. David speaks for the rest of the psalm about how God has heard him and what God is going to do. God has heard me! God has given me the inheritance of those who fear Him! These are David’s first cries of joy! What a delight to know God has heard us – especially when we formerly thought God was a million miles away. And – since we have feared God and turned to Him in the midst of wanting to give up – God is going to bless us with a wealth of blessing. At this point David begins to speak boldly of what God IS going to do! David says, “I’m going to live!” But then David begins speaking in ways that are beyond what a mere man could receive. David is speaking by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration – and at this point the Holy Spirit begins speaking of the Messiah. He will live forever. He will remain before God forever. Grace and truth will be preserved through Him. These are all blessings that will come through Jesus Christ. John said in his gospel that grace and truth would be realized through Jesus! David closes the psalm by saying he wants to praise God forever – and to live before God in obedience day by day. That is where God brings us when we turn to Him. He brings us to Himself – and to His grace. He brings us to promises that have been made in the Word of God. He brings us to His ultimate promise which is the Messiah – Jesus Himself. What a blessing. Some may wonder why God would allow us to be in such a place. But I have a bigger statement to make. God leads us to such a place! He has purposed for us to come to the point where we feel a million miles away. His purpose in it is not to damage our faith or our spiritual walk – but to enhance it. Read these words God led Paul to write about God’s work in him and his associates. ”For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.” 2 Corinthians 1:7-11 What is God’s purpose in allowing us to get to where David was? It is so that we will despair in our own living where we trust in ourselves and instead trust in God who raises the dead. It is so we will look to God to be the One who delivered us – who will deliver us – and who yet will deliver us! His other purpose is to not only engage in prayer the one who is dealing with the problem – but so that many persons will be engaged in prayer as well. Then as we watch God do what only God can do – we will praise God Who alone should be the One to be praised. Feeling a million miles from God? Yeah – God has you right where He wants you. Its where He had David – and look what He did in him?
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God has revealed Himself to us through His Word. In the Old Testament was often described with two groupings of writings inspired by God. These two groupings were and are still called the Law and the Prophets. It is only fitting then that the Hebrew book of Psalms begins with a psalm representative of these two groupings of inspired writings.
Psalm 1 and 2 are interesting because we don’t know exactly who God used to give them to us. Authorship is not known on these two psalms. Even though we do not know the authors - we can see God’s hand in giving these two psalms as the first and second in the Psalter. Psalm 1 is about the Law of the Lord, while Psalm 2 is about a prophetic warning concerning the raging of the nations. Psalm 1 speaks to us about the blessing that comes to the one who delights in God’s Law, while Psalm 2 is about the problems that will come to those who reject God’s Anointed. The Law and the Prophets each have their own representation in Psalms - and it is what we read to start God’s hymn and prayer book. Psalm 1 addresses the Law. The song/prayer speaks of how blessed one is to not follow the world - but delight in God’s Law. It is an emotional psalm. God is communicating and revealing to us that the blessed and happy life is the life that is lived according to His Law/Word. God promises spiritual vitality and prosperity to those who meditate and live according to His Word. Psalm 2 addresses a problem - something that is seen often in the prophets. Why are the nations in an uproar? Why are the peoples devising an empty thing? Why are they rebelling against God’s anointed and turning against the Messiah? God offers strong rebuke and a revelation of Himself that should make the nations tremble. He also gives strong counsel to honor the Son - Whom He has enthroned and given honored Himself. These two psalms lay the groundwork for the rest of this 150 chapter volume in God’s Word. We see that mankind is blessed when turning to God’s Word and to God’s Anointed. Psalm 1 starts with a blessing and ends with a curse; Psalm 2 begins with a curse and ends with a blessing. Psalm 1 shows us the meditation of the godly, while Psalm 2 reveals the meditation of the ungodly. There is much to be learned before we finish this longest book of the Bible - but even as we begin we are reminded that life is about what we do with the Word of God and the Son of God. A good way to start and a wise thing to remember. Prayer is talking with God.
That is the simplest statement one can make about prayer – but for those who are not familiar with talking to someone Who is Spirit – it can be a little difficult to know how to pray. That is why David’s psalms are so precious to the believer – they give us examples and teaching on actual praying. Psalm 5 is one of the most wonderful examples. It is primer on prayer. It is one of David’s songs that teach us how to approach God, what things to bring up in his presence, and what attitude should be evident in us as we pray. Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my groaning. Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You I pray. In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch. David begins by calling on God to hear his prayer. This may seem strange to us, seeing that we rarely begin our conversations with statements asking others to hear us – consider what we’re saying – and to heed our call for help. Yet with God this is actually a wise practice. Conversation with your average sinful human being (which if you’re not familiar with the biblical worldview – is “every” human being) is based on similarity. We are similar physically, spiritually, and morally. But with God we are speaking with someone Who is holy. We are anything but similar. We are speaking to an infinitely superior being in every way. In fact we can say that He is wholly another category of being with no one else in that same category. So approaching Him asking for His mercy and attention to our prayer is definitely a good thing to do. David speaks of words, groaning, and a cry for help. Considering that David was praying during the time of the incident with Absalom – this is understandable. He was facing a rebellious son – a rival to his throne – and a person who intended on killing him if possible. But this is also a great way to grasp three aspects of our prayers to God. First there are our words themselves. We speak by using words when we talk with God. But there is more to communication than the mere words we use. There is also our “groaning.” The word here is the Hebrew word “hagiyd” which refers to someone sighing or to a meditation in the mind even while the mouth is speaking. It is the though behind the words – it can also refer to the intent behind the prayer. This particular word refers to an intense meditation or sigh in the spirit or heart of the one praying. What are the intent, the motive, and the desire of the one speaking the words? Then finally, David speaks of his “cry for help.” David was crying out of despair and a very real sense of danger – and definitely wanted God to get that idea. David also uses three verbs that are very instructive in this prayer – that indicate just how bold he is being as he calls out to God. First he asks God to “give ear” to his words. This first verb means to “broaden the ear,” This phrase meant to cup one’s hand behind their ear so as to hear well. The second phrase is even bolder as David asks, “heed the sound” which is a great phrase – even though it may seem mildly inappropriate when speaking to God. The phrase is used of a dog or animal that cocks its head and perks up its ears to hear something. David boldly asks God to cup His ear – cock His head – and perk up His ears to hear what he is praying. Though this may sound like a little much – when we are serious about being heard – there will be a passion in us to know that God is listening – hearing our cry to Him. There is also a submission to authority that resounds in this prayer. David calls God his Lord, His King, and His God! What a beautiful picture of submission to God even as David speaks so boldly to Him of a request that God listen. When we talk to God – we are speaking with the Lord of the universe – and the King of all – the One Who is God. Who I am talking to governs how I will speak to Him. We can pray for what we want – but if the One we address is absolutely sovereign over all things – it might be wise for us to come with humility, submission, and honestly – a willingness to alter our plans according to His will. Another thing we see here is that David is approaching God in the morning. Twice we see this in his approach of God. Jon Courson made a wonderful comment about this verse when he said that when he doesn’t meet God early as the day begins – he winds up mourning his day when it comes to a close. We are not speaking of a legalism when we say to come to God early each morning – but – we can say that when an orchestra plays a symphony – it warms up before it plays the piece – not afterwards. Consider the symphony the way you are going to live through today – and the warm-up as your time with God before the day begins. The last thing we see about David’s approach is that he is waiting for God’s instruction with eagerness. He says that he is ordering his prayer to God (a word meaning to set things in a row or organize things) and then watching for God eagerly. He expects God to speak to him about the matter. When prayer becomes a monologue where we speak to God – but God says nothing to us – it will become drudgery to us. Real prayer communicates with God – and that communication is a two way street. Our hearts need to speak to God, yes – but it is just as important that we hear from Him as well. David said that he “eagerly” watched for God to speak. What a wonderful thing it is when God speaks through a passage of Scripture – through a leader – through a brother or sister who loves us – or just through circumstances in our lives. It is why we speak to Him – so that He will speak to us as well. Too often though – people pray with little or not expectation that God is going to speak. They pray out of duty – our out of obligation – or out of some misguided thought that it makes them godly to do so. The reason we pray – is to communicate with God. Therefore why wouldn’t we pray and then watch with anticipation of what He will do or say in answer to what we’ve prayed to Him. Prayer is meant to be an exciting endeavor – not a monologue to the ceiling or some religious object in a room. It is meant to be communication with the Living God Who answers and Who speaks to us in real life situations. It is such a blessing when we move prayer out of the realm of being only a spiritual discipline into being a relationship with God Himself. Yes it requires discipline – but if that is all that is happening – you won’t pray for long. You’ll lose heart. Prayer is meant to be a time of literally talking to God and hearing from Him. That is why David’s example of prayer is so instructive and invaluable. It reminds us that we speak to our very real God – who hears – who speaks – and who invites us into His presence to experience Him in a very real life lived on this earth. If your times of talking to God have degenerated into just “prayer times” where you seek to maintain the façade of religious activity – my request to God is that He reveals Himself to you in a way that draws you into a relationship with Him. I hope that it becomes the time where you experience God’s wisdom – God’s direction – God’s gracious care – God’s comfort – God’s love in a way that wonderfully impacts how you live every day.  Here is a great part of a Psalm that is very instructive to those who are angry. It is even more instructive if your anger is against either elected officials – or even officials like a pastor, elders, or deacons in a church. Bet I got your attention with that statement, didn’t I.
Psalm 4 is part of a unit with Psalm 3 – and both of these songs arose out of David being betrayed by his son Absalom. Just a short review of this is in order. After David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then killed her husband through a horrific military mismanagement on purpose – God said that David would face some serious consequences for his actions. The first of those came as his son Amon fell in lust with his half sister (whose brother was Absalom). He then connived so as to get her into his house – raped her – and then threw her out wanting nothing to do with her after his crime. Tamar, the half sister who was raped, was devastated and lived a desolate life in her bother’s household. Amon was not punished – and his half brother Absalom fumed with rage at what he had done. Absalom would have his day of vengeance at a feast he threw for all David’s sons. At a high point in the festivities he arose and had Amon killed. He then withdrew into a self-imposed exile. Through a series of events Absalom was restored to the kingdom, but David would not see him personally. That led to Absalom being bitter at his father – which also led to him stealing the hearts of the people of Israel by saying that David wasn’t caring for them as he should (something Absalom felt just about every day due to their very sticky situation). In time a conspiracy grew to the point where it was clear Absalom was going to declare himself king (and probably his first act would be to kill David and those who supported him). Just for the record – this was a bona-fide mess in every way. There was enough sin to go around for just about everyone in this situation. But – it did not merit rebelling against the king God established – and then seeking to kill him. Just an aside here for our benefit is in order. We live at a time when men are furious with whatever president we have – regardless of which party he comes from in the political world. The press keeps us enraged so that our anger is always brewing beneath the surface. One can easily see where this may one day end in a coup and a rebellion to overthrow just about anyone who is in office. In light of our equally sticky situation in this day – it would be wise for us to consider the admonition given in this “Mad-as-all-Get-out” song. Tremble and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still. Selah Offer the sacrifices of righteousness And trust in the LORD. Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance on us O LORD! You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep. For you alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety. Psalm 4:4-8 David began this song by crying out to God for help in his distress. He wanted God more than anything in this distressing situation – which was good. When we face distressing situations it would behoove us to remember that God is better than anything, anyone, or any position that is available now – or – even will be available. David was king – deposed at the moment – but he was not crying out for a return to power. He was crying out for more of God in the midst of this mess. That is a sure sign that God is working in your mess – when you want Him more than you want relief from your problems. Many of the Jewish scholars say that by this time David was across the river and was in a relatively safe place. People were gathering to him in larger numbers – and he was no longer in grave danger of losing his life any minute. God was turning things – and eventually Absalom’s rebellion would be put down – and the young man Absalom would be killed. It is in this sense of God turning things that this part of the song was written. Go Ahead – Be Angry . . . But Tremble in verse 4 means to tremble with anger – and later this verse is quoted in Ephesians 4:26 as “Be angry and do not sin.” It is one thing to be angry about the sin and failings of others – but it is quite another to allow that anger to turn into bitterness, gossip, discontent, and arrogance. That is where Absalom went and it led him into murderous revenge, rebellion, gossip and lies, and even raping 10 of David’s concubines in public (the very sin he despised in Amon). When we don’t deal with our sin, as God would have us to deal with it – we wind up eventually sinning in similar ways ourselves. When it comes to anger – be very careful what you describe as “righteous anger.” If your anger leads you to other sins – it isn’t righteous. Oh what wise counsel is given to us when David says our response should at least include time lying still meditating on our beds. I’ve noticed in my own life when I get angry that if I do not consciously do something to calm down – my anger will only escalate. Telling others about my anger leads to things like gossip, rebellious statements toward authority, judgmental statements toward authority, and arrogant statements about 99% of the time. It is better to shut down the anger – and lay down to take some time to meditate on matters. The word for meditate means to “speak within your own heart.” When we do this – and combine it with being still before God – it does wonders for our “mad-as-all-get-out” moments. David offers another wise piece of advice. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. The phrase can also be translated, “Offer righteous sacrifices.” Cling to God’s righteousness – but also cling to the way the Righteous One shows mercy to those who offend it as well. A righteous sacrifice could also mean dealing with our own sin – even as we are so keenly aware of the sin of others in that moment. Remember that we prefer God to show mercy – when we are the ones being stupid and sinful. We might want to offer that same mercy to others in the midst of their mess too. Go Ahead - Be Cynical . . . But What is fascinating at this point is that what others are saying it brought into this equation. They are saying, “Who will show us ANY good!” (Emphasis mine) There is a tendency in moments like this to see the human sinfulness of these situations and want to throw up your hands in frustration. Is there any good out there? Can anyone make any sense of the mess between Absalom and David? By the time it is over the whole situation is like a three-dimensional puzzle that is beyond solving! With the prospect of no good at all – some become cynical and throw up their hands saying that there is no hope. There is no justice. There is no answer. Therefore we can’t even begin to come up with what is right. Therefore we either quit – or we just look after ourselves and give up on the rest of humanity. David’s answer is priceless! Lift up the light of Your countenance on us O LORD! The human factor alone will lead us every time to hopelessness – because mankind is hopelessly bound in sin and selfishness. That is why we need to lift our gaze off of man – and put it on God. I’m losing all faith – until – I cry for God Himself to lift up the light of His face upon me. That is where hope – and more specifically redemption – is found. They are in HIM! When we look into the light of His face – the things of earth grow strangely dim – and we learn wisdom and what makes for true righteousness, justice, and change. Wisdom is to fear Him. Righteousness is His gift to us in Jesus Christ. Justice is what He did at Calvary, taking the sin of the world upon His Son and paying it in full. Jesus bore the penalty for all the sin of mankind. It is all answered in Him – but remember – only in Him. David further reminds us that gladness comes from Him by His merciful grace to us. There is a gladness that abounds through Him – and that can beat any earthly possession or desire. Finally we see that we can lie down in peace and sleep – undeterred by the failings of men – by the foibles of politics – and by the frustrations of human leaders. God is the One who will give us such peace. We can even sleep peacefully. Imagine David – only a day or two out of being exiled from his kingdom. Imagine that he is only hours from fearing for his life – as he crossed a flowing river and scrambled up a mountainside to shelter. Yet now – after calling on the LORD – he is sleeping peacefully. HOW!? He took the situation and left it in the presence of God. He prayed – and possibly even sang to the God who promised to protect and keep him. This is truly amazing. So what do we do when we are in a “Mad-as-all-get-out” moment singing a blues song about how ticked off we are at another person – another politician – another spiritual leader who we learned has clay feet? For starters – we don’t give anger a wide berth in our lives. We narrow it to God’s righteousness – and temper it with God’s mercy (even as we remember more than a few times when God withheld wrath and showed mercy. Then we take time to talk to ourselves in a peaceful, meditative moment with the Lord. Then we ignore the naysayers who want to fill our minds with hopelessness – with cynicism – and with recrimination against those who have failed us. Instead, we fix our eyes on the Lord Himself. We find what is good and holy in a fixed gaze upon Him. Then we remember that what is best is He Himself and what He provides. And we surrender to God taking us out of our “mad-as-all-get-out moment and introducing us to His view of things where even as sin abounds – mercy abounds as well. |
Pastor John LawrencePsalms for Life . . . God moved on several people to write the Psalms. This is a book of songs and poems written by people who were seeking to be devoted to God as they walked though their lives. This is a collection of songs and poems that express the true, wonderful, and often raw emotions that we have as we journey through life with God. I hope you will be blessed and encouraged as you read. But more than that I hope that these expositions and writings will help you to seek Him in the midst of the life you live in this world. It will be at times comforting and encouraging, while at others it will be challenging and awkward. Regardless of where you find yourself on this spectrum as you read, it will be a reminder that God invites us into His presence to truly walk with Him, know Him, and at times, pour out emotions of joy, sorrow, frustration, anger, and everything else you can imagine. He not only invites you to do this - He delights in it too! Hope you enjoy your journey! Archives
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