My Goal

Psalm 69:6 (KJV) Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

(Proverbs 15 also read)

There’s a lot in this chapter as David pours his heart out to the Lord.  There’s only one mention toward the end that might be construed to have something to do with the law and the sacrificial system, everything else has to do with an obedient son, reaching out to a loving father.

I so much want to pass that on to others.  This past week I’ve had dinner with my son and an outing with my daughter and grandchildren.  If I had to write a report, it would be full of praise for God and thanksgiving for the blessings that He’s given me in my children.  I feel that I have passed on the torch to them.  That of course allows for their differences in personalities and priorities.  It understands that they are not going to agree with me on everything.  No problem.

What this first reminds me of today is that I have a continual example to set for others.  I think of the people at my church.  I tend to be an introvert, but I’m working on it.  I wonder how many of them can be uplifted in someway by my example.

So?  Let me join David in this prayer today.  May I do nothing to drag others down or to cloud their vision of You.  May I be an eternally positive influence in their life. Amen.  

Timing

Psalms 69:17 (KJV) And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

(Proverbs 9 also read)

Someone once said something to the effect, “I want patience, and I want it now”.  We can see the humor in that when we don’t say it.  Somehow, it’s a little bit more necessary when we are the one making the demand.

How often do we lecture God on His timing?  How standard is our expectation that He conform to our schedule instead of us waiting for Him?  I fear it’s more often than it should be.

This is not a criticism of asking God to move.  It’s not a a criticism of telling people going through trouble to be more patient.  It’s about the fact that we often think that we know what needs to be done now more than God does.  We often forget that there is much to be learned through the struggle and through the times of trust.

So?  Pray.  Feel free to ask.  I guess you could even demand, in a sense.  But the key is to trust and to learn in your haste to hasten and slow down with confidence. 

David Insight

Psalms 69:5 (KJV) O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

(Proverbs 6 also read)

Reading the Psalms opens up the heart of David as he worships God.  Some of his writing is very political and figurative.  If you look at the beginning of this chapter, you see him talking about being stuck in the mud and different things like that.  I don’t think those are literal.  I think he’s sharing where his heart is and what he’s feeling.

One of the things that we hear frequently about David is that he was a man after God’s own heart.  I think this verse points out why that is true.  God is listening as David confesses his “foolishness” (200) (folly NASB). Then he confesses an awareness that he doesn’t try to hide his sins from God.  He openly confesses them.  He is deeply repentant.

He is a man after God’s own heart.

So?  We also can be men and women after God’s own heart.  We can confess our foolishness.  We can confess our sins.  We can be open with God about our failures.  We can live with an attitude of repentance and a desire for obedience.  And then, if your heart isn’t right, God will make it so. 

Songs of Moaning

(Psa 69:12 KJV)  They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

(Proverbs 9 also read)

I have you ever wondered what people are thinking about you?  Have you ever worried that they are talking about you?  The other day I leaned forward and told the lady sitting in front of me in church that her husband needed a loving wife to straighten out his collar.  I could have done it, but I felt like he might take it a little better from her.  After all, that’s her job not mine.  One of my concerns was that people might notice.  A greater concern is that he might realize it leaving the service and feel embarrassed.  Such a feeling would be unnecessary, because people would understand how that happens.

On the other hand, when we take a stand in public for God, we tend to get harassed and lambasted.  Hopefully it’s just a verbal not physical.  I liked what the LSB had to say in translating this verse.

    Psalms 69:12 (LSB) Those who dwell at the gate moan about me, And I am the drunkards’ songs.

Picture people moaning in the gates.  I like that.  I would love to be the target of the songs of drunks as they went down the street trying to hurt my feelings.  As long as my motives are right, and my behavior reflects the righteousness of my God, I say, let them moan.

So?  Rejoice when you are persecuted for his sake.  It means that you are living as Jesus wants you to live.  And I think that verse also says, “and great will be your reward in heaven”.