All of us have had problems in our lives, and most of us have had some rather major problems at one time or another. Perhaps a job loss, and then not enough money to pay the bills, or maybe a significant illness in the family. A few of us have faced a catastrophic crisis. A tornado or fire wiped out our home and everything we own. Maybe a loved one died a terrible death, not a “normal” one such as from an illness, (which would be difficult as it is), but from a brutal murder. Or perhaps you or a loved one were unjustly sent to prison, not for a crime you committed, but in a wrong conviction. In times like that we cry out to God, “Help! I need Your help NOW!!!” Our psalm for this week speaks of some type of major crisis, and the need for the Lord’s help in a big way. Let’s take a look.
Psalm 70 was one of the many psalms that King David wrote. Like what was often the case with David’s psalms, we don’t know the specific incident that brought on the writing of this particular psalm. David faced many crises during his life, particularly the many times when his life was in danger. The words of this psalm are nearly identical to the closing verses of Psalm 40 (Psalm 40:13-17). That psalm, also written by David, spoke of some dire circumstance that the Lord delivered him from. Now he is in another crisis, something very terrible and urgent, and he needs the Lord’s help right away.
As our psalm opens, David is crying out to the Lord. “Make haste, O God, to deliver me!” (vs. 1). He needs help, and he needs it now! Usually when we pray, we want the prayers answered right away. We are an impatient people. However, if we take an honest look at our prayers, frequently we will see that it isn’t imperative that they be answered immediately. We lost our job, and that’s bad, but with unemployment benefits we can survive for several months, often until we get another job. Yes, we are sick, but most of the time we are not literally at death’s door. David, though, was in urgent need. Quite possibly those who sought his life were right on his tail.
One important thing when we face a crisis, is that we recognize that we can not solve the problem by ourselves. David realized this when he prayed that God was his help and deliverer (vs. 5). Too often we think we are self-sufficient, and that we can handle anything that comes our way. We also think that another person, perhaps our doctor or our attorney, are the answer to our problem. Others may come, but at their own pace, and when they do come, they may not be equipped or have the skills to really help. It is only the Lord that we can truly depend on, especially if the need is urgent. When others disappoint us and break our trust, and even threaten us, we should turn to God, as He alone can come to our aid.
Another important thing that David shows in this psalm is that no matter how desperate his situation is, he never forgets to praise and thank the Lord (vs. 4). When in the situations that we may find ourselves, and they may be extremely critical, we should never forget thanksgiving and praise. We may be in a very serious, very bad spot, and we need God’s help urgently, yet we can, and should, always give God praise. Even when we are in moments of panic, if we stop and give Him the praise He deserves, it will help us to remember who God really is. We should thank God for what He has already done in our lives, and worship Him for who He is.
Giving praise to God, despite our terrible situation, is always a good testimony. When others see, that as a child of God, we are praising Him even in the darkness, they will sit up and take notice. That may awaken a desire in them to want what we have. Every day, in every circumstance that we face, we need to testify to others about the joy and peace we find in Jesus. Don’t ever keep the Good News about salvation, and how Jesus can change our lives, to ourselves. Instead, just as David did, share the message of God's deliverance and help with those who need to hear.
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