When times are tough the tough get praising!

Ps 108

Understanding the situation in life in which something is written helps us to unlock more of the eternal principles that God has enshrined in His scriptures.  In the Psalm we are looking at today, David is writing to God after what seems to have been a short season of defeat before His enemies.

David did not always experience victory, even as a King. There were times of challenge, and times when he needed to look to God for help.  He knew that God had made him promises.  Some of the promises are actually mentioned in these verses (7-9).  

A series of defeats  has lead David to conclude that God is no longer going out with his armies.  He asks, “Haven’t you rejected us?  You do not go out o God, with our armies.”  He knows that there can be no victory without God.

When we experience trouble and defeat, what is our response?  All too often it goes beyond a mere question like David’s.  We can and should ask questions out of faith about God’s plan, and if we have strayed from it.  But so often we don’t just ask questions, but rather, we doubt God’s goodness.  Sometimes we may doubt if God cares, or suggest that He may even have rejected us.  Maybe He is even incapable of delivering us!  

David, however, exemplifies for us one who is struggling with his circumstances, but knows that God is still good and more than able to help.  He believe’s God’s promises.

He leads into the Psalm not with questions about God’s goodness.  Rather he begins with a confession that his own heart is steady and strong toward his God.  He knows that God is good and he is not going to turn away from God just because of some bad circumstances.  “My heart is steadfast, O God.”  He calls for praise, and proclaims that God’s own love is steadfast toward him and his people.  He knows that God has a covenant with his people.  He knows that God will not fail to keep his end of the covenant.

He turns to praise to God rather than recrimination.  “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!”  He knows that God is good, everlasting and exalted.  His own praise is only a recognition of this fact.  He will sing praises of God among the nations even with a few defeats.   He knows that God is still God and that He still remains morally perfect and good.

He then reminds God of his promises.  He points out what God has already revealed to him concerning the nations.  He asks God to act on those promises.  Again, he is not full of fear of despair.  He simply points out what God has already said, and then is planning to wait for God to fulfill those statements.  He readies himself for action by having his armies ready.  But he will wait for God’s help to bring the victory.

We all will face hard times.  How will we react?  With a psalm of praise or denial born of despair?  We must remember these things:

God is still God. He is still in control.  He still is exalted.  

God is still good.  He still will keep His promises.   He still will always do the right thing.

Remind God of the promises He has made you.  Its not as if He’s forgotten them, but its not as if He NEEDS us to pray.  He can act on His own without our help. Yet He invites us to pray, and He gives us promises that we can claim as our own, especially in times of need.  I have to point out that this also means that you need to know his word well enough that you can know the promises that He has give you.