Psalm 51

Ahh, it's always nice when you can identify the author and approximate timing of a psalm... and how nice it is for us that David was so transparent in this one. Psalm 51 was written after his confrontation with the prophet Nathan, who boldly exposed David's sin with Bathsheba. Not only did David commit adultery with her but he attempted to cover his tracks by plotting against her husband Uriah, one of his top military commanders. When Uriah remained true to his task he was rewarded with leading a venture that, unbeknown to him, was designed specifically to lead him to his death. Now how's THAT for rewarding loyalty?

A year passed before David's sin came to light. I wonder how he tried to excuse his behavior in those months... "well, I'm the king and everything in the kingdom is MINE... I didn't actually shoot the arrow that KILLED Uriah... others have done a whole lot WORSE..." Isn't justifying our actions one of the ways Satan deceives us?

Whatever his thoughts, David was eventually slapped in the face with the reality that what he had done was a slap in the face of his God, who had graciously blessed him with EVERYTHING he had. 2 Samuel 11-12 records the entire account, but several things stand out to me in that passage: "The thing David had done DISPLEASED the Lord... If all [the kingdom] had been too little, [God] would have given you more. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in His eyes?"

These words rang in David's ears and penetrated his heart, and his response to his colossal mess was Psalm 51. Listen to the words he uses as he remembers God's attributes: unfailing love, great compassion, right, justified, desires truth, teaches wisdom, saves, cleans, purifies, restores, doesn't delight in sacrifices or take pleasure in burnt offerings. David knew that there was no sacrificial provision for adultery or murder. What did the Law demand for those two sins? Death. No lambs or doves or bulls... David deserved to die and he cried out to God with a broken heart and spirit.

These are the words David used to acknowledge what he had done: sin, transgression, evil, iniquity. He didn't make excuses or try to sugar-coat it, he saw it for what it was. His confession continued with phrases like "I know my transgressions... My sin is always before me... I have sinned against You... I have done evil in Your sight..."

Then David asked God to forgive him, and boldly asked God to bless him and restore him. And God, in His rich mercy and infinite grace, answered David's prayer. But his sin wasn't without consequences, and it set the wheels in motion for calamity in his family and eventually for the entire nation of Israel. Sin ALWAYS has consequences.

Thank God that He delights in restoring His children after they've stumbled, but isn't it worth considering how He might delight in not HAVING to always restore us? As we grow in Christlikeness, shouldn't we be learning some skills about AVOIDING the stumble? Wouldn't THAT delight Him as well??

What if we understood ourselves well enough to know that we get distracted and temptation finds its way into our lives? Instead of stumbling into sin (or worse, choosing it!), what if we prayerfully stopped and took a spiritual breath? Could we ask God to show us where we are weak and to reveal what's beneath the immediate temptation? If we could see underlying desire, wouldn't God show us a choice that honored Him (1 Cor 10:13)?

This psalm deals with David's adultery and murder, but we can apply it to ANY sin. For example, stealing. If someone is tempted to embezzle from their company, what is the underlying desire? Is it wanting more money to buy more stuff (greed - bad) or is it wanting the money to pay overdue medical bills (providing for their family - good)? Is the underlying desire evil or godly, and how do we deal with that? Or better yet, how do we let God deal WITH US in that area? We will always face temptation of SOME kind, but let's ask God to examine us and show us the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of ourselves so we can do what is right and avoid getting into a colossal mess of our own.

"Create in me a pure heart... renew a steadfast spirit within me... grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." God answered David's prayer and He will answer ours. With a pure heart we can see and discern our true desires, with a steadfast spirit we can recognize and stand firm against temptation, and with a willing spirit we can DESIRE to do what is right. Now wouldn't THAT please our Lord?

Thanks to Adean for this fabulous Donnie McClurkin link:

Create in Me a Clean Heart

Thoughts on Psalm 23

“The Lord is my Shepherd…” What familiar and comforting words!

I find some Psalms are a challenge to teach because so many of them have unnamed authors and were written at unknown times. While we don’t know the time that Psalm 23 was written, we do know it was a psalm of David and it’s his description of the Lord as his Guide. This psalm of comfort and assurance is commonly heard at funerals, but it’s a great daily reminder that our Lord is always near and caring for us.

Psalm 23 is so familiar that it's easy to overlook something profound: It is one of the few passages in scripture where we can see each of the Old Testament names for God. We see Jehovah Jireh (Provider), Jehovah Mekaddiskem (Sanctifier), Jehovah Nissi (Banner), Jehovah Rapha (Healer), Jehovah Rohi (Shepherd), Jehovah Sabaoth (Lord of Hosts), Jehovah Shalom (Peace), Jehovah Shammah (Companion), and Jehovah Tsidkenu (Righteousness). Some are obvious, others require some pondering, but if you look carefully and thoughtfully you’ll see they’re ALL there.

Sheep are curious creatures. Once you study them and their characteristics, it’s easy to see why Jesus compared us to them. Sheep are helpless, defenseless, easily distracted, prone to wander, don’t have keen vision, they are easily frightened in new situations (especially the dark), and when they are injured they often roll over on their backs and can’t get up!

Philip Keller’s book “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” is a wonderful book that describes the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep. Good shepherds were totally devoted to the care of their flock because the sheep were so highly valued. They were the preferred animal of sacrifice, they were a sign of wealth, they were a source of milk and their wool brought a considerable profit. Because the sheep were so special the shepherd gave them individual names, and the sound of the shepherd speaking gave them a sense of comfort and well-being. The tender voice and gentle touch of the good shepherd was all that was needed to bring calm and contentment to an agitated sheep.

Some notable Old Testament shepherds included David, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his 12 sons, as well as Moses; but the task of shepherding flocks was one of the lowliest of all jobs. It was hard work that required round-the-clock attention, they were often in danger, their accommodations were simple & sparse, and they were often dirty and smelly. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus, Who embodies the fullness of our holy and eternal and unimaginable God, is referred to as a lowly shepherd? It’s my personal opinion that it has more to do with us being like sheep than it does Him being like a Shepherd!

A good shepherd cares for his flock in a variety of ways: he provides a safe & comfortable place to rest, he keeps the sheep healthy and free from parasites and disease, and he makes sure they have plenty to eat and drink. He is faithful to examine the sheep to determine their needs, and then he does what is necessary to keep them healthy and well. Jesus cares for us in the same way: He examines us and then does what is necessary to keep us growing in Him.

Perpetually wayward sheep are a problem for a shepherd, and it's believed that a shepherd will wrap the sheep and draw it close to him so he can break it's leg. The shepherd then carries the sheep on his shoulders until it heals. During that time the sheep learns to recognize the shepherd's voice and through his gentle care grows to trust him and then obey him. The shepherd knows this relationship can't happen any other way, so I'm guessing it's a kind of ovine 'tough love.'

Hopefully we aren't so stubborn we need to have our legs broken, but sometimes He allows circumstances in our lives so we can adjust our focus to see ONLY Him. Sometimes He needs to “fleece” us to reveal what’s beneath the surface or to remove the things in life that weigh us down. Sometimes He takes us through a valley to protect us from something we can't see. Sometimes He disciplines us with His rod and sometimes He rescues us with His staff, but He ALWAYS has our well-being in mind and is ALWAYS working in our lives to draw us closer to Him. His love for His followers is a testimony to an unbelieving world, and His “Name’s sake” or His reputation is proven in the way He cares for us. It's important to remember that our response to Him during our trials is also a testimony to the world.

It’s interesting to note that in the Old Testament the sheep died as a sacrifice for the shepherd. In the New Testament the Shepherd died as a sacrifice for His sheep and then gave us His Spirit to live within us and give us comfort in any circumstance. I love the outline that Canadian evangelist J.R. Littleproud gave this psalm:

The Secret of a Happy –

Life: every need supplied
Death: every fear removed
Eternity: every desire fulfilled

But these promises are reserved for those who follow Jesus and boldly say, “The Lord is MY Shepherd.” Can you?