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This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. Isaiah 30:15
We live in a world of visual and audio noise. Screen time has become a buzz word for the noise we’ve created through technology and life in general. It seems as though our lives are made up of circles. Family circles, workplace circles, social circles, political circles and you can probably think of a few more.
Imagine all of those circles intersecting in such a way that, while remaining separate, they intersect in the middle, and that middle…is YOU!
Each circle has it’s own demands, some more important than others, some louder than others. The volume of each circle doesn’t necessarily correspond to it’s level of importance. As I write this I envision a picture of me pulling my hair out and having eyeballs bulging from my face!
The world tells you to advance and tackle each situation. God tells you to step back. The world tells you the more active you are the more you’ll accomplish. God tells us in Psalm 46 to be still. In that stillness we can find confidence because we realize our strength comes from God, not from tackling yet another challenge.
Take time away from the screen or whatever circle is calling you. Build confidence in your faith in God working through you. He wants to see you succeed and longs to have you take refuge in him so he can work more completely through you.
Then I will sing praises to your name forever as I fulfill my vows each day. Psalms 61:8
Music has the amazing way to both express our moods and change our moods. Have you ever noticed that? How many songs have been written due to grief or broken relationships or shattered dreams. If the performer does the song well, you can feel your heart melt along with theirs over whatever tragedy the message sends.
On the other hand, a song that expresses joy can make your heart sing as well. I remember back when I was young, when my favorite song came on the car radio in the summer, the windows went down and the volume went up!
David begins this Psalm (song) in dire straights we know little about. All we know for sure is that he’s struggling. But as his song moves on there is a gradual progression from distress to praise; from fear to courage; from questioning God to worshipping God.
What was the difference? We don’t know for sure but I’m convinced his physical situation hadn’t changed. What changed was his heart. His focus turned from his problems to his God.
How is the condition of your heart today? The mind plays amazing games with us. The songs you listen to have a profound and secret affect on your mindset.
So when you are unsure if God hears your prayers, if you are struggling with the news and events around you let me suggest you listen to some good praise music. Allow the words of praise music to permeate your mind, work to change your mood and turn your focus towards the promises of our almighty, loving and never failing Father God. His music will do your heart good!
May he reign under God’s protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him. Psalms 61:7
Have you ever noticed how people slow down when a police officer is behind them? Maybe it’s just me. I don’t drive fast, at most I’m 4-5 MPH over the limit. But when a police car is behind me I tend to drive at order a couple MPH below the limit!
Why is that? Because we are being watched! You may see that at the workplace as well. The old adage “When the cats away the mice will play” has real meaning when the manager/boss steps out or leaves for the day.
In Psalms 61:7, King David continues his prayer to God, asking him to protect David in his daily activities, whether in the palace, on the battlefield or in his personal time.
He acknowledges that God watches over him, “…May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him”, but asks that the watching is covered in love and faithfulness.
God is not some angry cop hoping we step out of line so he can ticket us. He’s not a micro-managing boss that doesn’t trust us and is always worried about the bottom line.
He’s a loving father that has promised to love us unconditionally. He’s a loving father that keeps his word. He’s a loving father that always has our best in mind.
May you feel his love today in whatever you face. May you be reminded of his faithfulness in the past as you look into an uncertain future!
Add many years to the life of the king! May his years span the generations! Psalms 61:6
Ever notice how things become outdated? Some of us ‘more mature’ people remember telephones that hung on the wall and only went about six feet away. Times change. People change. Culture changes. Even language changes.
Stability comes in those things that remain the same. It’s not often we’ll find something that is just as useful now as it was 20 years ago. Much of what we have now will be obsolete soon! What can we rest on? What can we count on being just as useful twenty years from now as it is today?
In Psalm 61:6 David talks about legacy. He talks about those things that last. Most ancient manuscripts refer to the ‘King’ in this verse as having a Messianic meaning. The King that spans generations. The king that will relate to life now and in the future.
The king that will always be with us, is Jesus Christ. He weathers every storm. He stays stable in every change. You can count on him to meet your needs today and tomorrow, just as he has in the past.
For you have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name. Psalms 61:5
Ever made a promise to God only to fail to keep it? Afterwards you may struggle with guilt and shame. You may wonder if this Christian life is really worth it because your prayers don’t seem to do any good and try as you might to be better you still lose your temper, say words you regret, and have thoughts and attitudes you can’t seem to get rid of?
David writes about his struggles with knowing for sure that God hears him. While he attests to God’s protection and security, he knows he is unable to uphold any part of a bargain he may have made with God. Still, he knows God’s love goes beyond his ability to deserve it.
As he continues his prayer before God, he writes, “For you have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.” (Psalms 61:5) He asks God to remember the vows he made, even though he knows he’s broken those vows many times.
He thanks God for the inheritance reserved for him because even in his failures, he reveres God. He knows his value isn’t dependent on his vows but on His God.
Don’t let your failures in life keep you from remembering your inheritance! Through Jesus your salvation is secure.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 