Our Daily Scripture – 12/28/23 (Thu)

SCRIPTURE:  PSALMS 31

MEMORY VERSE:

“How great is your goodness which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.  In the shelter of your presence your hide them from the intrigues of men’; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.” (Psalms 31:19-20)

THE CRY OF DAVID:

  1.  Let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.  (v. 1)
  2.  Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. (v. 2)
  3.  For the sake of your name, lead and guide me. (v. 3)
  4.  Free me from the trap that is set for me. (v. 4)
  5.  Redeem me , O Lord, the God of truth. (v. 5)
  6.  Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. (v. 9)
  7.  Deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. (v. 15)
  8.  Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. (v. 16)
  9.  Let me not be put to shame O Lord but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. (v. 17)

THE FAITH OF DAVID:

  1.  In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge. (v. 1)
  2.  Be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. (v. 2)
  3.  Into your hands I commit my spirit. (v. 4)
  4.  I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the Lord. 9v. 6)
  5.  I will be glad and rejoice in your love. (v. 7)
  6.  You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. (v. 8)
  7.  But I trust in you, O Lord,, I say: “You are my God” (v. 14)
  8.  My times are in your hands; (v. 15)
  9.  How great is your goodness which you have stored up for those who fear you. (v. 19)
  10.  You heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. (v. 22)

HOW DAVID FELT:

  1.  My eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. (v. 9)
  2.  My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning (v. 10a)
  3.  My strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. (v. 10b)
  4.  I am the utter contempt of my neighbors. (v. 11a)
  5.  I am a dread to my friends – those who see me on the street flees from me. (v. 14b)
  6.  I am forgotten by them as though I were dead (v. 12a)
  7.  I have become like broken pottery.. (v. 12b)
  8.  I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. (v. 13)
  9.  They conspire against me and plot to take my life. (v. 13b)

PLEADING OF DAVID:

  1.  Let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. (v. 17)
  2.  Let their lying lips be silence, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. (v. 18)

DAVID’S FINAL ADVICE:

“Love the Lord, all his saints!  The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.  Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” (vs. 23-24)

THOUGHTS: 

David was sick.  His enemies persecuted and ridiculed him.  His friends ignored him.  What David did was to t urn to God for help and the Lord did not fail him.  If your enemy is against you, find safety in the hand of the Lord.

David’s faith in God was firm and strong.  He was not ashamed because he knew that God’s goodness would carry through his life.  David words: “Into your hands I commit my spirit” (v. 5) conveyed his complete trust in God.  Aside from David, Jesus used the phrase as he was dying on the cross.  And Stephen repeated these words as he was being stoned to death.

When David said: “My times are in your hands” (v. 15), he was expressing his belief that all of life’s circumstances are under God’s control.  It keeps us away from fear, knowing that God loves and cares for us.  He will never fail us.