Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Lynn Smith <lynn824@cebridge.net>
Sent: Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:51:12 -0500
To: Recipient list suppressed:;
Subject: Morning Manna June 25: BP: Ps. 40; RBTTY: Acts 7:44-60; Job
June 25
“Withhold not Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; let Your loving-kindness and Your truth continually preserve me for innumerable evils have compassed me about. My iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head; therefore, my heart fails me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me.”
He specializes in restoration and renewal.
One thing about the Psalmist David that so touches us is his transparency. Most folks who reach the heights of success that he did are haughty and condescending toward others. But, not this shepherd-king and, for that we should be thankful. . .because it helps us realize that maybe the Lord can still use us after all.
At first glance it would seem this psalm was written while David was being attacked by his enemies. Even in today’s Manna we think that may be the case because of his words “for innumerable evils have compassed me about.” You can almost picture the scene of him hiding in a cave while Saul and his soldiers are looking for him like some hunted animal.
However, then you read the next words:
“My iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head.”
Suddenly, we realize David is struggling with his own sinfulness here. Maybe this “Somber Song” was written after his adulterous encounter with Bathsheba. Or, perhaps he penned the words and music after he disobeyed the Lord by taking a census.
Regardless, it’s clear he was desperately in need of God’s mercy and grace here. He asks the Lord to let His “loving-kindness and truth continually preserve him.” Simply put, David knew that these “gifts of grace” were the only thing that could keep him from going down for the count so great was his grief over his sinfulness.
Oh, dear Pilgrim, have there been times in your life where God used “circumstances” and others to “prick your pride,” showing you just how full of yourself you were? Or, have you sailed through some stormy seas at times and realized the only way you were going to be able to make it was by letting Captain Jesus take over at the helm?
No wonder our Lord said His Word is “sharper than a two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12). If we are truly His children, He’ll use our own failings or others’ unloving words and deeds to help us remember our need of Him. And, during those times when we’re so low “we can’t even look up and our heart fails us,” our only recourse is to cry “O Lord, be pleased to deliver me; make haste to help me.”
Do not fear when you reach this point, Pilgrim for it’s during our times of brokenness that we experience some of God’s richest blessings and amazing grace. May you feel His love welling up in your soul even now.
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