Three more psalms stirring thoughts on faith and God’s faithfulness; the testing of delays; and living lives of integrity.

Psalm 11

“The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven.” (verse 4, NASB)

Eleven psalms in and with the reading of each one, I am discovering anew the depth and richness each one holds. I am also discovering how much I need each one as we read them!

This psalm was written as David was facing a crisis. His counselors were advising him to leave Jerusalem and head for the mountains. These were well-meaning advisors, trusted even, but they were weak in their faith.

So what did David do?

He lets his own faith, small as it may be, serve as an example of trusting God. He speaks to them, encouraging them to remain resolute, firm in their faith, trusting that God was in control.

Rather than looking at the circumstances, David chose to look up to God.

And we need to do the same. It’s good to know what is going on in the news, to know the facts, but we then need to look at those facts through the light of God’s Word, His promises, and His faithful presence.

The study shared these words: Faith > Logic. This is because faith defies logic.

The study asks: Spend some time thinking about your allegiance to faith and logic. Which do you hold fast to? Does your faith in God triumph over earthly logic?

May we hold onto the faithfulness of our God, for one day we will find “we did not trust Him in vain.”

~*~*~

Psalm 13

“But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.” (verse 5, NASB)

My Bible titles Psalm 13 “the testing of delay.” It is so true – delays will surely test us. They will put our patience, kindness, and words to the test.

Studying this psalm was a blessing to my faith. Here are some points from my commentaries:

• “David deals with his feelings, his foes, and his faith.” (Warren Wiersbe)
• Verse 3 – “Enlighten my eyes” – “He asked, Give light to my eyes, requesting divine wisdom and understanding to see his situation from God’s perspective.” (Holman Old Testament Commentary)
• Verse 5 – “The little word “but” indicates a transition from fear to faith and from questioning to claiming God’s promises.” (Warren Wiersbe)
• “David goes from perplexity to praise, from sinking to singing.” (Holman Old Testament Commentary)
• “God’s people don’t live on explanations, they live on promises, and those promises are as unchanging as the character of God.” (Warren Wiersbe)

We need to see circumstances from God’s perspective instead of wanting God to see our circumstances from our perspective. {{Ouch}} How often I am guilty of this!

We need to live on God’s promises rather than wanting explanations and answers to the question “Why”.

“May we never allow our feelings to dictate our theology, but allow our theology to dictate our feelings.”

(from Delight: A Walk Through the Psalms by The Daily Grace Co.)

The study asks: In what ways does David’s confidence in the Lord amid trials grow your ability and desire to praise the Lord while experiencing difficulties?

May we ask the Lord to help us see situations differently because He is always dealing bountifully, generously with us, even when we think otherwise.

~*~*~

Psalm 15

“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and work righteousness.” (verse 1-2, NASB)

In this psalm, the psalmist asks the question twice – “Who?”

• Who may abide?
• Who many dwell?

Great questions to ask ourselves so we learn how to stay close to the Lord. The answer will tell us how we are to live with integrity.

Integrity is blameless character which influences all we say and do. In reading the chapter, I was struck by one part of verse 2: “And speaks the truth in his heart” (NASB).

“Truth is the cement that holds society together … We must use truth as a tool to build relationships as well as a weapon to fight deception.”
(Warren Wiersbe)

We will never live perfectly but we can possess tender hearts that seek to serve God and respond to the Holy Spirit.

The study asks: In what ways does this psalm show you how to live with integrity and godliness?

The questions which the psalmist begins this chapter call us to reflect on, and examine, our spiritual condition.

“Holiness is not something to be received in a meeting; it is a life lived in detail.” (Martin Lloyd-Jones)

May the details of our lives reveal a heart desiring to live a holy life.

~*~*~

Faith defies logic
because God is ever faithful,
and desires for us to live with integrity and godliness.

 

Image 1: by kie-ker from Pixabay
Image 2: by Van3ssa 🩺 Desiré 🙏 Dazzy 🎹 from Pixabay
Image 3: by Pexels from Pixabay

Today I may be joining … Tell His Story and InstaEncouragements .