Marble Tables and Silk Curtains

Morning Devotions

Psalm 86                                                                   

 

 

This Psalm I find amazing because it has such humility in it. It starts with a statement of David being poor and needy.  Ok, well that makes sense, right, until you consider the author for a second. That’s KING David, who ruled Israel in the glory days, who had palaces and kingdoms and servants and wives and armies, King David wearing a crown and royal robes, who could have anything he wished. Perhaps he was sitting at his marble table, arms resting on a golden chair, staring at the view through his velvet and silk-curtained window, and his soul cried out to God. “Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.” 

Ahhh. We all relate to this feeling of being inadequate. Before the God of the universe, each of us is in a state of poverty and need. Apart from the Giver of Life, we have nothing. We are beggars in the street. David asks for protection, for mercy, for joy…. Joy? Yes, one of the deepest life lessons you can know is that there is no joy apart from God. Anyone who has tried to be happy realizes this on some level, Christian or not. As a believer in Jesus Christ, one has friendship with God! Our sin has been paid for, the sin that divides us from God, and we have free access to the throne of grace. So, believer, do you have joy? Follow David’s example. Ask God for joy. Lift up your soul to Him, and let Him fill you with the sweetness of His life and presence.

    “Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” Vs 4

It is so essential to take a moment each day and lift up your soul to the Lord. Why do we chase happiness all day, hoping something good happens, waiting for peace, when He is right there – as close as a breath. And when life isn’t going so well…

 “In the day of my trouble I will call to You, for You will answer me.” Vs 7

King David’s humble attitude is showing again, and also his steady trust. He KNOWS God will answer him. He plans to tell God about his trouble, when it comes. It is coming, some trouble, some stressful event or relationship problem, and God will be there to hear and answer. Wow, what peace we can know when we walk close with God. Let’s take a page out of King David’s book and be devoted to God, trusting, humble…..knowing our soul’s poverty. The Friend of sinners will hear us and answer with joy, mercy, peace -- the answers to whatever our need.

                PRAY. Thanks God, that “You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to You.” I am so glad to walk close to You. Help me to lift up my empty soul to you each day and be filled, not filling up on the cheap ‘junk food’ that I find in the world around me. My heart clamours for attention and for purpose. Thank you for King David’s example, and thank you for always being there. Amen.