Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thu, 22 Nov 2007 05:37:34 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Nov. 23); BP: Ps. 34; RBTTY: James 5; Ez. 20-21
November 23 “On Magnifying the Lord”
“O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together.”
Psalm 34:3
It sure takes the pressure off and ushers in peace when we remember this.
Psalms 34-37 were written by David, the shepherd-king, during some times of adversity in his life. You’d think that someone who’d killed a lion and a bear with his bear hands and a 9’9” tall giant with a slingshot and a single stone wouldn’t have “down days” or times when he was ready to throw in the towel.
But, such is never the case—back then or now. . .for David or us.
David knew very well those days when it seemed the whole world was against him. Even a cursory examination of these four, heartfelt, very transparent “songs of the soul” will show the struggles he was going through. And, his willingness to share those struggles will certain aid us in ours if we’ll hear and heed how the Lord helped him.
Today’s Manna was written after Jonathan had warned David of Saul’s wrath and murderous desires to kill this youngest son of Jesse (I Sam. 20). How touching is that beautiful story of Jonathan’s love for David and that bittersweet time of their parting (v.41-42).
As David fled, he came to the house of Ahimelech, the priest, who was greatly afraid at this great man of God’s presence (I Sam. 21:1). David didn’t tell the trembling priest what was really going on (v.2), but asked him for some food (v.3). The priest told him the cupboard was bare and the only thing he had was the holy showbread, reserved for use in the tabernacle’s holy place (v.4). But, David didn’t hesitate to ask for that—stating that sometimes the holiest things of God are meant for pragmatic purposes (vv.5-6). It’s also interesting that Ahimelech was the keeper of Goliath’s sword, which David used to cut off the giant’s head (I Sam. 17:51). And, David said, “I used it once; I’ll use it again. Give it to me” (v.9) and the old priest did.
Later on, David ended up in the hands of Achish, the king of
It was after this encounter that David wrote today’s Manna while sitting in a dank, dark cave in Adullam (I Sam. 22:1). Others, who were “distressed, in debt and discontented came to him, making him their captain” (v.2). However, instead of comparing notes on their troubles, as we’re so prone to do, David called on them to “magnify the Lord with him by exalting His name together.” Hallelujah!!
Oh, dear Pilgrim, it’s so easy to get down in the dumps when hardships come. And, if we’re not careful, we’ll spend more time singing “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen” instead of “Worthy Is the Lamb” and the “Hallelujah Chorus.” May the Holy Spirit help us today to remember to praise, rather than pine or pout, when troubles come our way—mindful that the Lord Jesus is still on His throne and knows our needs.
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