Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Witness of the People of God:Looking
to God in our Battles
Jebin Yohannan
St. Thomas MTC, NY
8 Deliverance belongs to the
Lord; may your blessing be on your people!
What a tremendous gift we have to be encouraged each day through the earliest worship songs of the Psalms! These songs bring us into the history of what God has done and is doing in this world. There are four types of Psalms: 1) First, Psalms which proclaim God’s greatness 2) Psalms where His people cry for help 3) Psalms declaring our trust in Him, and 4) Psalms of thanksgiving. Psalm 3 is the first Psalm in the scriptures written as a cry for help.
Psalm 3 draws parallels with many Old Testament stories including the story of the Assyrians invading Judah (2 Kings 18-19), where the Assyrians taunt the Israelites saying ‘Don’t kid yourself that Yahweh is going to deliver you.’ On the outside Assyria appeared to have everything: the army, intelligence, and a track record of victories, but history reveals that it is ultimately the people of God who stand victorious. Psalm 3 teaches us what to do amidst these struggles. First, we must address the reality of our battles (vs1-2). Often times today we avoid the reality of our dire situations, instead living foolishly and in a state of oblivion. God wants us to face the struggles directly, not to become overwhelmed with despair, but rather so we may lean on him and discern the best course of action.
Second, the Psalm reminds us to constantly remind ourselves about the truths of God so we can battle the doubts, which creep in when facing what appears like insurmountable odds. (vs 3-4) As we do this we can trust that God will honor us amidst all persecution and he will ensure that our heads are held high. Finally, we must remind ourselves of our past (vs 4-8). The Psalmist knows how imperative it is to be mindful of what God has already done in the face of similar odds we’ve endured in the past.
Today you may be facing different forms of rejection, heartache, or struggle whether at your job, among your peers or even within your church or family. Whatever your battle, join the psalmist today in a cry for help and remember that God will deliver you.
Reference: Goldingay, John. Psalms For Everyone Part 1. Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013. Print. For everyone 11.
What a tremendous gift we have to be encouraged each day through the earliest worship songs of the Psalms! These songs bring us into the history of what God has done and is doing in this world. There are four types of Psalms: 1) First, Psalms which proclaim God’s greatness 2) Psalms where His people cry for help 3) Psalms declaring our trust in Him, and 4) Psalms of thanksgiving. Psalm 3 is the first Psalm in the scriptures written as a cry for help.
Psalm 3 draws parallels with many Old Testament stories including the story of the Assyrians invading Judah (2 Kings 18-19), where the Assyrians taunt the Israelites saying ‘Don’t kid yourself that Yahweh is going to deliver you.’ On the outside Assyria appeared to have everything: the army, intelligence, and a track record of victories, but history reveals that it is ultimately the people of God who stand victorious. Psalm 3 teaches us what to do amidst these struggles. First, we must address the reality of our battles (vs1-2). Often times today we avoid the reality of our dire situations, instead living foolishly and in a state of oblivion. God wants us to face the struggles directly, not to become overwhelmed with despair, but rather so we may lean on him and discern the best course of action.
Second, the Psalm reminds us to constantly remind ourselves about the truths of God so we can battle the doubts, which creep in when facing what appears like insurmountable odds. (vs 3-4) As we do this we can trust that God will honor us amidst all persecution and he will ensure that our heads are held high. Finally, we must remind ourselves of our past (vs 4-8). The Psalmist knows how imperative it is to be mindful of what God has already done in the face of similar odds we’ve endured in the past.
Today you may be facing different forms of rejection, heartache, or struggle whether at your job, among your peers or even within your church or family. Whatever your battle, join the psalmist today in a cry for help and remember that God will deliver you.
Reference: Goldingay, John. Psalms For Everyone Part 1. Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013. Print. For everyone 11.
PRAYER
Father help us to
remember who you are and what you've done as we face our
realities with confidence trusting that you will deliver us. AMEN.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
We are never alone.
We are never alone.