"Raised Up and Restored"
Jul. 8, 2019
All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. They say, "A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies." Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me ... But You have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in Your presence forever."
~ Psalm 41:7-9, 12 (ESV)
David, as he reports in Psalm 41, had reason to believe that people were out to get him—because they were. King Saul, consumed with jealous rage, tried to kill David and pursued him through the wilderness. As king, David fought Israel's enemies and was forced to put down a rebellion inspired by his own son. With wishful thinking, the psalmist's foes ask, "When will he die, and his name perish?" (Psalm 41:5b)
We may rightly share David's fears and join him in his cries to God. Enemies real and imagined track us down. The world around us is engaged in continual conflict. The personal foes of fear and doubt, illness and grief, sin and death—all threaten to overwhelm us. Our chief enemy, Satan, always seeks our downfall. Yet David knew the answer to his troubles: "Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him" (Psalm 41:1).
David's Lord is our Lord, David's greater Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus certainly considered the poor; He considered us and put our needs ahead of His own. Throughout His earthly ministry, enemies pursued Him, wondering with malicious intent, "When will he die, and his name perish?" Jesus' opponents imagined the worst for Him, and they made it happen. A close friend, a disciple, betrayed the Son of David into the hands of His enemies, and those enemies rejoiced: "A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies." The deadly wrath of God against our sin was poured out on Jesus; the sinless Son of God suffered the penalty of death in our place.
But the enemies' triumph was short-lived, lasting just three days. Jesus was raised up from death on the first Easter morning, victorious over every foe. David expresses his trust in God's redeeming acts in his life, in the life of the Messiah, and in our lives. According to David's song of praise, God delivers, protects, sustains, restores, upholds, and sets us in His presence forever. So long ago, inspired by the Holy Spirit, David knew that victory would be his, and now, in Christ our Lord, it is our victory also.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Son of David, comfort us with the promises of Your Word. Forgive our sins, deliver us from every evil and bring us safely into Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- Has there been a time in your life when you thought people were out to get you? Care to share?
- Have you ever been burned by a close friend? Did the issue resolve?
- How do you think your friends perceive you? Trustworthy? Fair-minded? Conditional? Reliable?
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Has there been a time in your life when you thought people were out to get you?
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