Notes from Norman

DELIVERANCE AND DISCIPLESHIP (1)

In my own private devotionals I’ve been working my way through the Psalms. I don’t usually share a lot of the stuff I write down about the Psalms. Most of it is highly personal, and I’m not sure it would be all that interesting to you. However, the current condition of the world, and stresses in the lives of many individuals I know, compel me to share some thoughts on this highly relevant psalm.

I think the psalmist was probably struggling with his own mortality. To me it doesn’t seem like he belongs to that group of people who think that “Sheol” (the grave) is the end of existence (see Psalm 115:17). If he believed that, why would he say, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”? (16) Nevertheless he dreaded it. In this psalm he gave thanks to the Lord for delivering him from some life threatening danger.

In verses 1-2 he verbalized his appreciation to God because he heard his cry for mercy. It takes the blindest of men to believe that God does not hear our cries for mercy. He hears our cries for mercy and responds to them, even when we ourselves would probably turn deaf ears to many such appeals. Despite our own sinfulness God invites us into his presence. He longs for fellowship with us.

In verses 3-4 he’s confessed his fear of death. He didn’t try to rationalize it or deny it. Without a doubt the psalmist was afraid of dying. I don’t think his plea for salvation was a desperate cry for deliverance from Hell. He wanted to be saved from the grave. He was asking God to postpone his demise.

Verses 5-6 focus on the goodness of God. He is gracious, i.e. He is inclined to love us and gift us (if I may use gift as a verb.). “The Hebrew verb chanan occurs some 56 times in the Old Testament and refers to the kind turning of one person to another in an act of assistance, such as aid to the poor.”

Our present day world is filled with violent, cruel, callous, indifferent, hostile people. We’re at the point where flight security people have to be suspicious of travelers who carry shampoo in their carry-on luggage. But it’s not just terrorism that victimizes people. Unprincipled opportunists prey on the weak, the poor, and the simple minded. At the other end of the spectrum, some people are bilking the government under the guise of being needy. It’s a blessing to know that God can sort all this out, and that he will be gracious to those who are least equipped to help themselves. When the need is great and real, he is there for people. He may not respond in the way they desire, but he will respond in the way that is best for us.

More to follow

posted by Norman @ 7:33 AM