It's always so comforting to read King David's Psalms. "A Man After GOD's Own Heart" and he had struggles just like I do! I'll admit to being a closet writer and find that I more easily work through problems, struggles, and questions by getting creative and letting words flow (sometimes to the chagrin of my husband ;) ). This makes the Poetry books of the Bible a little closer to my heart. Join me as we make our way through the 69th chapter of Psalms written by King David as he's hiding from his enemies. I've broke it into 9 different sections that we'll visit daily...
Psalm 69ESV
Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in deep mire,
where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters,
and the flood sweeps over me.
3 I am weary with my crying out;
my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim
with waiting for my God.
For the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in deep mire,
where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters,
and the flood sweeps over me.
3 I am weary with my crying out;
my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim
with waiting for my God.
4 More in number than the hairs of my head
are those who hate me without cause;
mighty are those who would destroy me,
those who attack me with lies.
What I did not steal
must I now restore?
are those who hate me without cause;
mighty are those who would destroy me,
those who attack me with lies.
What I did not steal
must I now restore?
Such imagery that David uses in the first four verses of Psalm 69. They remind me very clearly of the way I can often feel!
Those times when we feel like we're swimming against the current, trying to accomplish everything that is required of us. When we are trying our hardest to regain our financial foothold, but every footstep seems to slip. And in verse four, it almost seems a verse that was written about Christians in our current culture.
These first few verses seem so sad, scary, depressing, and overwhelming; yet they are not the end. They actually send us straight from the Old Testament to the New Testament in John 15:25 "...They hated me without cause." Christ experienced persecution and hatred just the same, but with no wrong doing on His part. It's only natural that Christians will experience the same - only we are imperfect and that will be pointed out to us again and again.
But let's follow Christ's examples. Let's not lash out at our persecutors. Continue to speak truth in love, live as Christ-like as possible, and be an amazing example in spite of all the troubles and trials that come our way and threaten to drown us. And don't forget to share your struggles with the Christian friends GOD has placed in your life-it's amazing how much a kind word, a hug, and listening ear can make the struggles seem easier.
These first few verses seem so sad, scary, depressing, and overwhelming; yet they are not the end. They actually send us straight from the Old Testament to the New Testament in John 15:25 "...They hated me without cause." Christ experienced persecution and hatred just the same, but with no wrong doing on His part. It's only natural that Christians will experience the same - only we are imperfect and that will be pointed out to us again and again.
But let's follow Christ's examples. Let's not lash out at our persecutors. Continue to speak truth in love, live as Christ-like as possible, and be an amazing example in spite of all the troubles and trials that come our way and threaten to drown us. And don't forget to share your struggles with the Christian friends GOD has placed in your life-it's amazing how much a kind word, a hug, and listening ear can make the struggles seem easier.
