05/29/15 Reflections on Life

READING:  1 Kings 1-2, Psalm 37, Psalm 71, Psalm 94

TEXTS AND APPLICATION:  If you have been a long-time believer, when was the last time you took time just to think about God’s faithfulness to you? Today’s scripture reading covers David’s last days, including Adonijah’s revolt, Solomon’s coronation, and David’s death. The psalms generally show the psalmist’s reflections on life — particularly, learning to trust God when the wicked seem to prosper.  

1.  God leads us throughout all of life.  

Psalm 37:23-25  A man’s steps are established by the Lordand He takes pleasure in his way.  Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread.

Psalm 71:5-6 For You are my hope, Lord Godmy confidence from my youth. I have leaned on You from birth; You took me from my mother’s wombMy praise is always about You.

2. Wherever we are in life — especially in times of difficulty — the Lord is our refuge.

Psalm 37:39  The salvation of the righteous is from the Lordtheir refuge in a time of distress.

        Psalm 71:3  Be a rock of refuge for mewhere I can always go. Give the command to save me, for You are my rock and fortress.

Psalm 94:18–19  If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your faithful love will support me, LordWhen I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.

3.  The wicked will not win. 
      Psalm 37:35-36 I have seen a wicked, violent man well-rooted like a flourishing native tree. Then I passed by and noticed he was gone; I searched for him, but he could not be found.
    Psalm 94:23 He will pay them back for their sins and destroy them for their evilThe Lord our God will destroy them.
4. We who are old must teach others — just as David challenged Solomon to be faithful to the Lord’s commands.
    1 Kgs. 2:2-3  “As for me, I [David] am going the way of all of the earth. Be strong and be courageous like a man, and keep your obligation to the Lord your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees. This is written in the law of Moses, so that you will have success in everything you do and wherever you turn . . .
  Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me. Then I will proclaim Your power to another generation, Your strength to all who are to come.

PRAYER: Reflect on the Lord’s provision today. Pray that we will trust His leadership today — even when it seems like the enemy is winning — and that we will faithfully speak of God’s goodness to the next generations. 


TOMORROW’S READING:  Psalm 119:1-88

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.