This week’s psalm reading is from another of King David’s poems of praise to the Lord God. Today I want to focus on verses 14 through 19. Let’s see what we can learn from these Scriptures, and how we can apply them to our life today.
As we read over these verses, we see how David knew that he could depend on God to uphold him when things weren’t looking good for him, and that He would provide for his needs. King David’s life wasn’t always sitting on the throne, living a life of luxury, being waited on hand and foot. Throughout his youth he was a shepherd, which is not a very prestigious job, and one that many looked down on. Then, for a brief while, he was court musician for King Saul. Saul became severely paranoid, feeling threatened by David, and made many attempts on his life. As a result, David spent many years fleeing for his life, living wherever he could, usually out in the wilderness. After becoming king, things weren’t always easy for him, either. There were wars to fight to keep the country and his throne safe. David even had to deal with a coup attempt by his son, Absalom.
Throughout our life there will be times when we fall, both literally and figuratively (vs. 14). We may fall from having a good job position to a much lower one, or having none at all. We can fall from someone’s favor, too, which can be painful or humiliating. And then, of course, we can actually fall, and physically hurt ourselves, landing with broken bones or crippled in a wheelchair or in bed. If we are trusting the Lord, He promises to uphold us through these times. He is there to support us. We can lean on Him, and He will sustain us.
The years that David spent on the run, fleeing King Saul, must have been very challenging ones. He couldn’t settle down and find a paying job, or have a permanent home. There were probably many days when he might not have known if he would have something to eat. Did David panic? He looked around and saw that God provided for all the animals in the wild. They all knew that their Creator would provide for them, and David trusted the Lord as well (vs. 15-16).
Some of us may have gone through times in our past when we weren’t sure where our next meal would come from. Maybe some are in that position now, or will be in the future. Who do we look to? Who is our source of provision? Is it a spouse? They may leave you, or they may die. Is it your boss? You might not have that job tomorrow. Is it your government? With the way things are in this world, no matter what country you may be in, that is a very shaky support. David said that our eyes are to look to God, for He, only, is the one who truly provides for us. He gives to those who look to Him.
The Lord Yahweh is righteous and just in all of His dealings with man. Everything He does is right and holy. If we call upon Him in truth, through the Blood of His Son, Jesus, He is near (vs. 18-19). We can know that He hears our cries when we have a need, and He will provide for those needs. Yahweh has promised in this passage that He will lift us up when we fall, and He will provide us with food.
David, when penning this psalm under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, did give one condition for this, which we see in verse 18. As I mentioned above, we must “call upon Him in truth”, that is, through His Son, Jesus Christ, God’s chosen Messiah. If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, acknowledged and applied to ourselves that He shed His Blood for our sins, then we are His children. Not everyone has done that, and thus, not everyone is His child (John 1:12). Have you accepted Jesus’s Blood, shed on the Cross to pay for your sins, and asked Him into your heart as your Savior? If not, do not hesitate. As His child you can know that He will be near when you call upon Him.
Praise God!
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