Thoughts on Psalm 28:1-9
To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. 2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. 3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. 4 Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve. 5 Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again. 6 Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. 8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed on e. 9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
God is always faithful to his word. As we study the Old Testament we see many times that God promised to bless his people when they were faithful to him but each of these times he promises to not bless them and to even punish them when they were unfaithful. This same principle is true today. God has promised to be with his own. He has promised to provide all the needs of those who seek him. He has promised wisdom to those who humbly ask in faith. He has promised to fill his children with his Spirit. And the list goes on for the many blessings promised to God’s people in Jesus Christ. Equally true is that God has promised to turn from those who do not turn to him.
Does God not love everyone? Yes he does. In fact he loves everyone enough that he gave his Son to die for the sins of the world. However, God’s forgiveness is not given to everyone. His protection, his care and guidance is not given to everyone. While it is available to all, it is given only to those who come to him in faith and humbly submit to his will. Peter tells us that God is not willing for any t o perish but for all to come to repentance.
So what does this mean to each of us today? When we humbly submit to his will and in faith come to him thru Jesus Christ, he has promised to give us all spiritual blessing and to provide all our physical needs. Jesus tells us that anyone who does not believe will perish.
O God, please help my unbelief; I do believe in Jesus as my savior. Give me strength and faith to submit to your will so that I can be molded to be like you. Forgive my selfish heart and my stubborn will. Open my heart so that your Spirit can transform me into your image. I pray in Jesus name.
May God bless each of us as we live for him and in him today.