God’s Mercy, My Dependence
I realize this passage is somewhat long but maybe you are like me earlier this week and need the reminder. These words were fresh water on a heart that was crying out.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry. (how many times do we feel God does not hear us?? He says right there HE HEARS)
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is the man who makes
the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie! (this can even be Christians leading other Christians astray, depend only on God)
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.
6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in m the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me! (thank you Father for never restraining your mercy from me!)
12 For evils have encompassed me (I fall, I am a sinner)
beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot s see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me! (deliver me from myself Lord, for without you I fail)
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
who a say to me, “Aha, Aha!” (Many times, even Christians, want to ‘catch’ you in sin. “Aha!” But not God, he desires to deliver you)
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!
David’s cry here is thanking God for the endless mercy God has shown in his life, but David also reaffirms to God his dependence on him. I recently had a week where I cried out to God that I knew I was doing things according to his will, but yet I felt attacked and sinful. I cried out that my heart’s desire is so that others will know Him, they will be led to desire more of him. Satan tries to side track me with other things, things that don’t matter in the view of eternity. And guess what, some of those things are GOOD things.
One morning during my quiet time after some tears were shed the Lord led me to the passage above, it was fresh water on a hurting soul. God reminded me and comforted me that it is through his mercy and my dependence on him which leads others to rejoicing and depending on God themselves. God softly whispered, “In your weakness, I am strong.”
Do you feel weak today? Be comforted that God hears your cry. But he also wants to remind you when you feel weak and dependent on Him that is when God’s strength can come shining through for others to see.
Photo by lizzie_anne
God’s Girl,
Lori
Find me daily:
Amen, amen. Such lovely, heart felt words spoken here.
I often go to Psalms for a passage to study because I find myself in David’s shoes so much. You can feel the struggle, the passion in his writings as he cries out to God.
Thank you for a wonderful devotion to ponder today. God bless.
Oh Lori…I have felt that…lived that…and am so thankful for the places He brings me to and THROUGH.
“As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.”… I LOVE THAT HE TAKES THOUGHT FOR ME!
You blessed us today Lori!
Lori, perfect Scripture for today. I love how you added your own applications in some of the verses and how it spoke to you. When you are obedient to God, the enemy isn’t happy. When we are disobedient to God, the enemy laughs. So, be obedient but expect some opposition and challenge. But remain steadfast and in Him. Our God is our refuge and strength, not in ourselves. I want to be strong but I am not. It is when I yield to the Lord and allow Him to work in and through me …then I am strong.
Thanks Lori for this thought provoking meditation.
Beautiful… thank you!
Mary
Thank you for faithfully sharing your heart Lori. I have had a season like that too – so many huge things in our lives that I have no control over. The Father is so faithful and loving to remind us of His constant care and provision for us.
Oh Lori,
What a beautiful way to read through the scriptures. I feel like I sat right nest to you and soaked up God’s word. Awesome. Hugs.
Theres nothing like Gods Word! thanks for sharing with us Lori!
Amen, Lori. I know some days feel like you are all alone…I know…I am there right with you. The Psalms are the best reminders that He is our comfort and that He is the only one to keep us on the straight path
Thank you so much for sharing, my sweet friend.
I love this psalm and your thoughts on it.