Psalm 145:7

Psalm 145:7

The hand of deliverance

Psalm 18 is once more in David’s mind (assuming that he wrote that Psalm before this one!) in 18:16-7 David writes, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me”. Sometimes we are surrounded by threatening forces or powerful circumstances that appear to be about to overwhelm us. In the psalmist’s mind, and this was part of ancient thought processes, was the imagery found in Genesis 1 where chaotic waters covered the earth and had to be subdued and called to order before the Lord could bring light, life and meaning to the earth. We might say that these exterior forces are still capable of overtaking the earth and covering dry land, that is, unless God continues to hold them back. 

This illustrates the dark experiences of life that trouble us and threaten the status quo and that the Bible associates with the activity of our enemy. So, chaos, troubles, overwhelming threats and such like are linked to the creation of the world and the imperious power and authority of our God who only has to speak and there is calm and order and safety for all who depend on Him. 

Most of us will be aware that our enemy is constantly stirring the waters and seeking to bring chaos into our lives. There are times when the oppression is so great that we really do feel like we are about to be engulfed by the waves of temptation, troubles and trials and it is at times like this that we call to the Lord to reach down His hand from on high; and to deliver and rescue us. A bit like Peter who climbed out of the safety of his fishing boat to walk to Jesus on the waves of the Sea of Galilee! 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm 106:13

Psalm 106:13 Do not forget We need to remember that Israel’s relationship with the Lord God was based on His laws and their obedience. It was possible for them to live lives that were highly blessed, that incorporated the provision of God in every tiny detail of their national and individual existence. God was prepared to give them everything they needed, He would provide food and water for them and their flocks. He would guide them on their journey. He would protect them from their enemies. He would inspire and direct their leaders. He would keep them from the heat of the sun and the terrors of the desert night. He would take them to the land that He had promised, in double quick time. There was no reason why they could not be in situ in just a few months. Everything they could possibly need was His to provide and He was willing to sacrifice anything to see them gratefully settled in Canaan.  There was just one snag, it all depended upon their obedience and faithfulness. God insis...
Read more

Psalm 119:87

  Psalm 119:87 Almost but not quite If only we knew the circumstances that form the back story to this Psalm! What happened to the psalm-writer to make him feel so vulnerable? Who exactly were these antagonists and persecutors and how did they “almost wipe our friend from the earth”? We’ve already speculated that he must have been a priest or maybe a member of the royal family for his suffering seems to have wide-ranging and public consequences. It seems that there had been a murderous plot on his life and now the author admits that whilst he nearly died, he still clings tenaciously to the precepts of the Lord his God. Precepts are the laws and commands that come from the lips of overseers, in other words, the writer believes that the Lord is watching over him and that he is safeguarded and protected by the words that come from His guardian.  There is a vital lesson here for us, there will be times when, at the very least, our reputations are under threat; for some who believe...
Read more

Psalm 119:74

Psalm 119:74 The fear of God We’ve pondered before, the meaning of “fearing” the Lord. Let’s remember, that if we are believers it has to nothing to do with being frightened, scared, terrified or alarmed by Him! The fear of the Lord is a healthy and reasonable reaction to One who is so much greater, more powerful and more glorious than we are. It is a sense of perspective in the presence of the God who is above all gods and the divine Being who rules over the whole universe. He has no equal and no one or no thing can contend with Him and hope to win, He is above all and over all and we are right to show Him reverence, respect and awe. Having said that, He encourages us to call Him “Father” and has identified Himself with us in human flesh, in the person of Jesus.  The author of this psalm has occasionally been plagued by self-doubt and an awareness of his own fallibility, not so here! He is effectively saying that if he keeps God’s laws and His Word, and if that is demonstrated in ...
Read more