How can we know what is racing through David’s mind and the emotions pumping through his veins in this season of life? The Psalms. David shares the highs and lows with us. We know God is who sustains David through every twist and turn. The next three devotionals look at the Psalms that David writes during the events in 1 Samuel. Don’t worry, we jump back into 1 Samuel next week.
Psalm 7 starts with declaration and confession. David declares his refuge is in the Lord. We witness this in 1 Samuel 21-24. David asks the Lord to show him where David needs to confess impure motives and actions. David thinks out loud with the Lord whether all the turmoil since Samuel anointed David as king is his fault. Has David swayed from the Lord to make a name for himself? The humility of David at the end of verse 5 when he says, “lay my glory in the dust” catches in my throat, you know? Lord, the glory belongs to You. As you follow the life of David, many times throughout scripture David regularly practices confession with the Lord. We see similar words from David in Psalm 139:23-24.
Following this same thread, in Psalm 7:9 the Lord tests “the minds and hearts” of people. The words used here are literal for hearts and kidneys. The thing deep down in your gut, your motivation, is what the Lord sees and judges. We see pure motivations from David as he continues to take refuge in the Lord and follow His lead. That tends to happen. When you think about it, what is that underlying characteristic that draws you to a person? A pure heart. How does a person grow and maintain a pure heart? They take refuge in the Lord.
Q: When I am honest with the Lord and honest with myself, where are my motivations not pure? Ask the Lord to show you how to act with pure motives.
Thus far, David has had quite the events play out. It blows my mind he is still standing. Will David ever take his rightful place as the King of Israel or throw in the towel before that happens? Psalm 31 gives us the answer. It is a heart-felt commitment by David to the Lord that he is still in this. The Lord has not forsaken David. The Lord makes a way. And David is not walking away from the Lord either. Regardless of what keeps happening, the confidence of David is fastened to the Lord. Psalm 31 helps to remember what my role is and the Lord’s role. Trust in the Lord and follow His lead, that’s on me. And then the Lord? He has everything else covered. What about unknowns like changing careers, changing your last name, or changing zip codes? Yep, the Lord has those things covered too.
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.
Psalm 27:4
Before we look at Psalm 27 to wrap up today, my strong recommendation is to flip over to Psalm 86 this week. David uses some of the same language in both. Psalm 86 is great to memorize and pray back to the Lord. I promise it will change your life.
In Psalm 27, David opens with a proclamation that the Lord is his protection physically as a “stronghold” and mentally as a “light”. I think of discernment and wisdom when I see the word “light”. This is the starting point on the path of progression with David. He starts with who the Lord is. Next, David shares three ways to grow in relationship with the Lord. He wants to dwell with the Lord, gaze upon the Lord, and inquire of the Lord (v.4). The prayer of David here can be the prayer for our lives too. When you dwell with the Lord that means be still, rooted, and remain with. After you settle in, the natural next step is to gaze upon His holiness, splendor, and beauty. Every time I find myself where I am in awe of the Lord, stillness washes over me and adoration fills my soul. The Lord is holy, sovereign, Creator, everlasting. Oh, I could go on! Once you reach this point, you want to inquire of the Lord like David says here. The first two are enough, but what an incredible gift it is to meditate on His words and character, to be with the Lord, and to listen to what He says?
I think David writes the remaining verses 5-14 from a deep-rooted relationship with the Lord. How can David speak with confidence or joy in the Lord without knowing Him very closely? What motivates David to wait for the Lord, be strong, and courageous if he did not trust in the Lord? David testifies over and over in the psalm as a man who experiences the protection of the Lord and relationship with Him. I understand a little better how David is still standing. It is nothing David has mustered up by his own strength. It has everything to do with the Lord. What a good reminder.
Q: What does your relationship with the Lord look like? Are you inquiring of the Lord only when you want something? Do you take a few minutes each day to take in His splendor? How can say yes to the Lord in one way this week that practices “dwell”, “gaze”, or “inquire” like David?
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours. All the nations You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name forever. For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. I give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your name forever.
Psalm 86:8-11
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