Scripture:
Psalms 9:9-14 NKJV
[9] The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. [10] And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. [11] Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people. [12] When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble. [13] Have mercy on me, O Lord! Consider my trouble from those who hate me, You who lift me up from the gates of death, [14] That I may tell of all Your praise In the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation.
Observation:
I probably don’t write about the Psalms enough. They can be so encouraging and uplifting. I’m not sure why it’s not a regular stop for me. The word Psalm is somewhat interesting in itself. It essentially means exactly what it sounds like. It’s a sacred song or hymn used to worship the LORD. The fact that the largest book in the bible is made up of songs and hymns that are there so that we can use them to worship our LORD should honestly grab our attention. Well, this morning it has grabbed mine. In the last few weeks, I have seen a lot of things happening in and around my life and the lives of those I love. So I really just wanted to dig into what it looks like to trust in the LORD. But I didn’t want to go to what might seem like the standard scripture, Proverbs chapter 3, verses 5 and 6. Although they are great reminders that it’s not about how we understand things, but what HE says about it that matters. I felt like Psalm 9 covered what seems to be showing up everywhere I turn a lot better. So let’s take a quick look at what King David felt he needed to approach the LORD about so many years ago. The first verse the Holy Spirit brought me to this morning talks about a refuge and how that is found in the LORD. It’s a place of safety and shelter from danger. A sanctuary where nothing can get to you. Not even those who would be set on oppressing you. It’s a safe place. The verse tells us that our refuge is the LORD. HE is our safe place. HE is our sanctuary. In HIM the oppressed find rest. But King David doesn’t stop there. He goes on to explain that knowing YAHWAH means trusting YAHWAH. HIS name alone is the breath of life and to know HIM is to trust HIM. David was an amazing man, and although he did not live a perfect life the trust that he exhibited as a young boy facing down a giant in the midst of an army of cowards was incredible. Courageous, strong, brave, with the kind of confidence a seasoned warrior should have. He trusted in the name he represented. The name of the LORD, YAHWAH. A name of refuge and strength, and ever-present help in times of trouble. David knew where his help came from. He knew it did not come from himself. His worship reflected that. Singing songs of praise to the one whom he knew by name the one who had taken such care of him. Every time he ran to the LORD, he knew that he would have exactly what was needed. He also knew how to approach the LORD as it says in verse 12, “HE does not forget the cry of the humble.” David was a man’s man, yet when he approached YAHWAH, he did it with humility. Now I believe it’s important to truly understand what that word means. Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It’s knowing exactly who you are. David was good at that. He was always up front with the LORD. When he had fallen he said…. LORD, I have fallen. It’s hard not to respect that. So when he approached YAHWAH it was in the right posture. Knowing how he was always in need of mercy and grace. Knowing he was only a man approaching the LORD of heaven and earth. It wasn’t a time for boasting unless it was boasting of what the LORD had done. Asking GOD to consider his troubles and give him a reason to praise at the gates by taking care of his troubles and delivering him from the pressing issues in his life. The relationship David had with the LORD was the trust he showed time and time again. He knew the name and ran to it every time, and because he did. His name has gone down in the only history book that matters as a man after GOD’S own heart. What a statement of trust directed to a broken man.
Application:
Just breathing after writing that. GOD is so good. HE knows I am not capable of writing something like that. I love it when HE just takes over. Sometimes I just find myself having to run back to GOD. Back to my strong tower. My ever-present help in times of trouble. I think it was like 2 days ago. I had been stressing over how things were going in my life. Thinking about things that had happened and how the enemy was trying his hardest to rip it all apart. It was in that moment when the LORD spoke to me. HE said,” I’m going to see you through the thin times. When others struggle, just place your trust in ME, and we will get to the other side. It was like a breath of confidence. It’s so easy to get caught up in what is going on. Paying attention to the storm and forgetting who is in the boat. Running around doing a bunch of good stuff, and forgetting to sit at HIS feet. HE is our refuge. HE knows we are going to try to do things in our own power, and when it fails. HE is always right there. Just like Peter when he was just a few steps in, found himself thrashing about in the water. Up to his neck in the storm. So often we forget to just trust GOD. Go back to HIS word, and see what HE says. It’s easy to repeat it. But do you trust in what HE has said over you? Do you trust that you will not be begging bread? Those who try to oppress you they don’t matter. What they do and say. It’s not important. If you bear the name of the LORD, HE is your refuge, your strong tower, and help every time you need it. If GOD is for you….NO ONE can stand against you. It’s not just saying it that matters. It’s believing it so much that nothing separates you from that belief. Do you know HIS name? YAHWAH, ELOHIM, ADONAI, JEHOVAH. If you know HIM you trust HIM.
Prayer:
Father GOD, you are so much more than just GOD, and I feel like calling you that is selling you short. Even calling you savior, redeemer, councilor, prince of peace, all-mighty GOD, ruler of heaven and earth, seems to just not be enough. Knowing your name is knowing that you are everything. You are the “I AM,” our every breath comes from you. Our safe place is tucked up under your wings. Our refuge is found in knowing that you are ABBA, our heavenly Father. The love and protection that comes from you is truly beyond our understanding. This morning we just want to thank you for placing a trust in us that is seen in the confidence we have in you. Protect us in this day. Provide in every way. Its in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.