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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!
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.
For you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Psalms 61:3
The most dangerous enemies are the ones we can’t see. You know the kind. The enemies of your soul. Sometimes those enemies are people who talk behind your back and have a hidden agenda to make sure you don’t succeed.
Perhaps you made mistakes they won’t forgive. It may be that you fail to meet their expectations and they are going to do everything in their power to make sure everyone knows how much of a failure you are.
The worst enemy of all, are the bruises you have from the emotional abuse their attacks bring. In those times when the unknown enemy lurks in the shadows it’s important for us to remember who we are and whose we are!
As believers in Jesus our identity isn’t dependent on the actions or thoughts of others. As believers of Jesus we are owned by the king of the universe, Jehovah God. When I’m hurt by the actions of others, I can rest in the promise that God is my protection.
He has protected my soul in the past and I can know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that he will continue to protect me. In Him I find safety. In Him I find rest. In Him I am secure in who I am.
From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, Psalms 61:2
One of our favorite places on earth is a small campground in Northern MN. Just miles from the Canadian border it seems totally isolated from the rest of the world. To get cellphone signal requires a 20 minute drive. Groceries? 45 minutes.
The saying, ‘it’s not the end of the world but you can see if from there’ is close to reality! You are totally isolated. Totally alone.
Have you ever felt like that in prayer? Oh, to be sure you know, theologically speaking, God is right beside you. You know theologically speaking, His Holy Spirit indwells you.
But again, theologically and practicality sometimes seem miles apart. In Psalm 61:2 David feels totally alone. Whether he is miles from ‘home’ physically or spiritually is up for conjecture. But emotionally speaking? That’s another story. He’s alone.
He seems surrounded by wilderness (insert wild animals, feeling lost, feeling completely helpless). But even in this hard time he has hope. In the distance he sees a rock, an outcropping high above his issues. Better yet, he knows that rock is his fortress, his place of safety, his place of salvation.
Maybe you are at the end of your earth right now. Maybe the answers to your marriage, your finances, the fear of tomorrow are more than you can bear. Maybe those around you seem removed from helping you sort things out. Look to the rock. Seek His guidance through the wilderness. In Him is security and rest for your soul.
Lead me the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow. Psalms 5:8
Have you ever been hiking through a forest and lost sight of the trail? Some trails are well marked or even paved. Sometimes though, trails can be hard to follow. Other trails made by animals or people who have taken it upon themselves to find different way, can make your progress confusing, or even dangerous!
We live in a time when many trails cross our paths making it hard to discern which way to go. How many times have you thought (or even said) ‘if only God would just send me a text message or an email so I’d know what to do?’ It seems like around every corner there is a fork in the road.
“Do I choose this relationship or move away from it?”
“Do I take this job, or look for something different?”
“What is the best way for me to eat the way I know I should?”
“I’m facing a transition in life transition.What are next steps?”
When the path becomes difficult to discern, Jesus gives us three steps to help us keep on the path of safety and success.
First, remember that the enemy wants to keep you off course, so ASK the father for direction.
Secondly, don’t be mislead by the path that may seem the most traveled. SEEK for signs of the proper way through prayer, seeking advice from trusted, Godly friends, and reading God’s word.
Lastly, Move forward! FINDing the way is a process. Detours make take us longer to get to our destination, but we may learn valuable lessons along the way.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 