The Lord Has Heard the Voice of My Weeping! - Psalm 6

 

Psalm 6 – A Psalm of David     Commentary by Dennis Edwards

1 O LORD, rebuke me not in Your anger, neither chasten me in Your displeasure.

God’s word tells us specifically that when God chastens us, He does so in love. In Hebrews 12:5b-6 we read, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of Him: for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” Further on the Lord explains why He chastens us, “Now no chastening seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby,” Hebrews 12:11.

God has a purpose for whatever He is allowing in our lives that is causing us problems, His “chastening.” It may seem hard while we are going through it. However, if we yield to Lord, and learn from the problem, whatever we need to learn, the “chastening” will bring out God’s goodness in our lives.

2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

When we are going through an affliction, no matter what it is, we feel weak, and we become discouraged, our bones ache and we feel older. But God’s word says, “wherefore, lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,” Hebrews 12:12. In other words, the Lord is admonishing us to fight discouragement with praise and thanksgiving, and don’t give up! “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you,” 1st Thessalonians 5:18.

3 My soul is also sore vexed: but You, O LORD, how long?

David is crying out to the Lord asking Him how long will he need to go through the valley of affliction. In Psalm 84:6, the valley is called Baca, which means weeping, in other words, the valley of weeping. In the psalm the man whose strength is in the Lord, makes the valley a well of water, “the rain also fills the pools,” or the Lord Himself sends His refreshment.

In Hebrews 12:13a we find, “And make straight paths for your feet,” in other words, “Enter in at the straight gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it,” Matthew 7:13-14. We need to stay on the straight and narrow road to salvation and usefulness to God. When God corrects us, we need to turn from our wayward paths, back to the path of God, “that shines more and more unto that perfect day,” Proverbs 4:18b.

The rest of the verse in Hebrews says, “lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed,” Hebrews 12:13b. God doesn’t want us to get discouraged in our testing or chastening. He wants us to find victory and healing through it, not discouragement, or a falling away, or bitterness.

4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh, save me for my enemies’ sake.

5 For in death there is no remembrance of You: in the grave who shall give You thanks?

In the Old Testament, various authors make mention of death as being the end. Solomon in Ecclesiastes 9:6 writes, “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.” Isaiah similarly transcribes, “For the grave cannot praise You, death cannot celebrate You: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for Your truth. The living, the living, he shall praise You, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known Your truth,” Isaiah 38:18-19.

However, Apostle Paul explains death differently. He says, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain…For I am in a straight between two, having a desire to depart, and be with Christ; which is far better; nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you,” Philippians 2:21&23. We see Apostle Paul expecting to be with and see Jesus when he dies.

In 2 Corinthians 5:10, he writes, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that which he has done, whether it be good or bad.” Death for Apostle Paul is very active. In the book of Revelation, we have a similar view. We see that those who had arrived in heaven after the rapture are singing and praising God.

“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having harps of God. And they sang the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are thy ways, You King of saints. Who shall not fear you? O Lord, and glorify Your name? for You only are holy: for all nations shall come and worship before You; for Your judgments are made manifest,” Revelation 15:2-4. We see the saints in the heavenly realm giving thanks and glory to God. Even in death they shall sing, give thanks, and give praise unto God.

6 I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed to swim; I water my mouth with my tears.

The psalmist is mourning over a loss, perhaps the death of a loved one, a son or daughter, or wife. He is passing through that almost uncontrollable grief we can experience as a result of a sudden death of a loved one.

7 My eye is consumed because of grief; it waxes old because of my enemies.

Job had said something similar, “My eye also is dim by reason of my sorrow,” Job 17:7a. Earlier Job had said, “Oh that my grief was thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! For now, it would be heavier than the sand of the sea,” Job 6:1-2a. He implores God to finish him off rather than let him suffer any longer. “Oh, that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Even that it would please God to destroy me; that He would let loose His hand, and cut me off!” Job 6:8-9.

Among other catastrophes, Job had lost his 10 children in one sudden disaster, Job 1:18-19. “While he was yet speaking, there came also another (messenger), and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house, and, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness. And smote the four corners of the house. And it fell upon the young men (and women), and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell you.”

Jeremiah was also overwhelmed with grief over the difficulties he passed through in his life of warning Judah of her sins. He said in a moment of despair, “Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed. Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto you; making him very glad. And let that man be as the cities which the Lord overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide; because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me. Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?” Jeremiah 20:14-18.

A death in a family of a young child or adolescent, or even an adult, especially if it was caused by an accident or something preventable, can cause family members to accuse one another for their negligence. Family members can become as enemies to one another causing even greater grief. A prolonged sickness which seems to refuse to be healed like Parkinson or diabetes, a physical handicap like blindness or deftness, a negative prognostic that predicts that medical intervention cannot help like a back problem or hip bone; these can cause us to spin into a cycle of despair and discouragement and lead to depression and even suicide.

8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; for the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.

David is commanding the “workers of iniquity,” the spiritual demonic forces which are not flesh and blood, the principalities, the powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, the spiritual wickedness in high places, to depart from him. Ephesians 6:12. Our warfare is not just in the physical realm, but much more so in the spiritual. He is "casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5. 

David is rebuking the devil. When we rebuke the devil, he must flee. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you,” James 4:7b-8. David is fighting the good fight of faith, and as he praises and thanks God and resists the enemy God's presence comes upon him once again. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,” Psalm 30:5. God answers our prayers and sends relief. “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them out of their destructions,” Psalm 107:20.  

9 The LORD has heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

Apostle Paul tells us, that as we pour out our heart in prayer and in supplication with thanksgiving, God hears our prayers and responds. He sends us peace of heart and mind that passes all our understanding, Philippians 4:6-7. The Lord says, “Call upon Me, and I will answer you,” Jeremiah 33:3a. In the Psalms we find, “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him,” Psalm 91:15ab.

In Habakkuk 2:4b, the Lord tells us that the answer will come, even if it’s slow in coming. “Though it tarries, wait for it: because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Hold on, the answer is coming! “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord,” Lamentations 3:26. “For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men,” Lamentations 3:31-33.

10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and sore vexed (or troubled): let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

David finishes the psalm praying against his enemies. In contrast, we find Jesus at the cross saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” Luke 23:34. Some believe Jesus was talking specifically to the Roman soldiers who were only obeying orders. In Matthew 23:35, before His Passion, Jesus had condemned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, and said, “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom you slew between the temple and the altar.”

The Scribes and Pharisees knew better, therefore, to them was the greater condemnation. They were the false shepherds and hirelings which cared not for the flock, John 10:13. “To him that knows to do good and does it not, to him it is sin,” James 4:17. “When the lord therefore of the vineyard comes, what will he do unto those husbandmen? …. He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons…. Therefore, say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof,” Matthew 21:40-41&43. “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” Matthew 24:51b.

However, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ words are recorded as such: “You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you; that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 5:43-45a. 

Prayer: Jesus, we pray against our enemies’ evil influence on us and upon the world. We pray for their conversion. Help us to stand for love and truth and be faithful witnesses with our words and actions no matter what the results may bring. Help us to stand up for everything that is good and everything that is true in the face of evil. Help us not to be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, and be cowardice, but rather be brave and fearless in these evil days. May our words and lives be examples of Jesus and lift the discouraged and refute the wicked. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Originally published 11-07-2024.

 

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O Senhor ouviu a voz do meu pranto! - Salmo 6

 

Salmo 6 – Um Comentário ao Salmo de David de Dennis Edwards

1 Ó Senhor, não me repreendas na tua ira, nem me castigues no teu desagrado.

A palavra de Deus diz-nos especificamente que quando Deus nos castiga, fá-lo em amor. Em Hebreus 12:5b-6 lê-se: “Filho meu, não desprezes a correção do Senhor, nem desmaies quando por ele és repreendido; porque o Senhor corrige a quem ama, e açoita a todo aquele que recebe por filho”. Mais adiante, o Senhor explica porque nos corrige: “Ora, nenhuma correção parece ser motivo de alegria, mas sim de tristeza; contudo, depois produz um fruto pacífico de justiça para os que por ela são exercidos”, Hebreus 12:11.

Deus tem um propósito para tudo o que permite nas nossas vidas que nos está a causar problemas, o Seu “castigo”. Pode parecer difícil enquanto estamos a passar por isso. Contudo, se nos rendermos ao Senhor e aprendermos com o problema, seja o que for que precisemos aprender, o “castigo” trará à tona a bondade de Deus nas nossas vidas.

2 Tende piedade de mim, Senhor; porque estou fraco. pois os meus ossos estão angustiados.

Quando estamos a passar por uma aflição, não importa qual seja, sentimo-nos fracos e desanimados, os nossos ossos doem e sentimo-nos mais velhos. Mas a palavra de Deus diz: “levantai, pois, as mãos que pendem e os joelhos fracos”, Hebreus 12:12. Por outras palavras, o Senhor está a admoestar-nos a combater o desânimo com louvor e ação de graças, e a não desistir! “Em tudo dai graças, porque esta é a vontade de Deus em Cristo Jesus para convosco”, 1 Tessalonicenses 5:18.

3 Também a minha alma está profundamente angustiada;

David está a clamar ao Senhor perguntando-lhe quanto tempo precisará para passar pelo vale da aflição. No Salmo 84:6, o vale é chamado Baca, que significa choro, ou seja, vale do pranto. No salmo, o homem cuja força está no Senhor faz do vale um poço de água, “a chuva também enche os tanques”, ou o próprio Senhor envia o Seu refrigério.

Em Hebreus 12:13a encontramos: “E fazei caminhos retos para os vossos pés”, por outras palavras: “Entrai pela porta estreita; porque larga é a porta, e espaçoso o caminho que conduz à perdição, e muitos são os que entram por ela; porque estreita é a porta, e apertado o caminho que conduz à vida, e poucos são os que encontram isso”, Mateus 7 :13-14. Precisamos de permanecer no caminho reto e estreito para a salvação e a utilidade para Deus. Quando Deus nos corrige, precisamos de abandonar os nossos caminhos rebeldes e voltar ao caminho de Deus, “que brilha cada vez mais até àquele dia perfeito”, Provérbios 4:18b.

O resto do versículo em Hebreus diz: “para que o coxo não se desvie do caminho; mas antes seja curado”, Hebreus 12:13b. Deus não quer que fiquemos desanimados nos nossos testes ou castigos. Ele quer que encontremos a vitória e a cura através disso, e não do desânimo, do afastamento ou da amargura.

4 Volta, Senhor, livra a minha alma;

5 Porque na morte não há lembrança de ti;

No Antigo Testamento, vários autores mencionam a morte como sendo o fim. Salomão está em Eclesiastes 9:6 e escreve: “Porque os vivos sabem que morrerão; mas os mortos nada sabem, nem têm recompensa; pois a memória deles foi esquecida.” Isaías transcreve de forma semelhante: “Porque a sepultura não pode louvar-te, a morte não pode celebrar-te: os que descem à cova não podem esperar pela tua verdade. Os vivos, os vivos, ele te louvará, como eu hoje faço: o pai aos filhos dará a conhecer a tua verdade”, Isaías 38:18-19.

No entanto, o apóstolo Paulo explica a morte de forma diferente. Diz ele: “Porque para mim o viver é Cristo, e o morrer é lucro… Porque estou numa situação de dois extremos, tendo o desejo de partir e estar com Cristo; o que é muito melhor; no entanto, permanecer na carne é mais necessário para vós”, Filipenses 2:21 e 23. Vemos o apóstolo Paulo à espera de estar e ver Jesus quando morrer.

Em 2 Coríntios 5:10, escreve: “Porque todos devemos comparecer perante o tribunal de Cristo; para que cada um receba segundo o que tiver feito no seu corpo o que tiver feito, quer seja bom, quer seja mau.” A morte do apóstolo Paulo é muito ativa. No livro do Apocalipse, temos uma visão semelhante. Vemos aqueles que chegaram ao céu após o arrebatamento a cantar e a louvar a Deus.

“E vi como um mar de vidro misturado com fogo; e os que venceram a besta, e a sua imagem, e o seu sinal, e o número do seu nome, estavam junto ao mar de vidro, tendo harpas de Deus. E entoavam o cântico de Moisés, servo de Deus, e o cântico do Cordeiro, dizendo: Grandes e maravilhosas são as tuas obras, Senhor Deus Todo-Poderoso. Justos e verdadeiros são os teus caminhos, Rei dos santos. Quem não terá medo de si? Ó Senhor, e glorificar o Teu nome? porque só tu és santo; porque todas as nações virão e adorarão diante de ti; pois os teus juízos são manifestos”, Apocalipse 15:2-4. Vemos os santos no reino celestial a dar graças e glória a Deus. Mesmo na morte cantarão, darão graças e louvarão a Deus.

6 Estou cansado do meu gemido; toda a noite faço a cama para nadar; Rego a minha boca com as minhas lágrimas.

O salmista está de luto por uma perda, talvez a morte de um ente querido, de um filho ou filha, ou de uma esposa. Ele está a passar por aquela dor quase incontrolável que podemos sentir como resultado da morte súbita de um ente querido.

7 Os meus olhos estão consumidos pela tristeza; envelhece por causa dos meus inimigos.

Job tinha dito algo semelhante: “Os meus olhos também estão turvos por causa da minha tristeza”, Job 17:7a. Anteriormente, Job tinha dito: “Oh, que a minha dor tenha sido completamente pesada e a minha calamidade colocada na balança! Por enquanto, seria mais pesado do que a areia do mar”, Job 6:1-2a. Suplica a Deus que acabe com ele, em vez de o deixar sofrer por mais tempo. “Oh, se eu pudesse receber o meu pedido; e que Deus me conceda aquilo que anseio! Mesmo que fosse do agrado de Deus destruir-me; que Ele soltaria a Sua mão e me cortaria!” Job 6:8-9.

Entre outras catástrofes, Job perdeu os seus 10 filhos num desastre repentino, Job 1:18-19. “Estando ele ainda a falar, veio também outro (mensageiro) e disse: Os teus filhos e as tuas filhas estavam a comer e a beber vinho na casa do seu irmão mais velho, e eis que veio um grande vento do deserto. E feriu os quatro cantos da casa. E caiu sobre os jovens (e mulheres), e eles morreram; e só eu escapei sozinho para lhe contar.”

Jeremias também ficou dominado pela tristeza pelas dificuldades por que passou na sua vida para alertar Judá sobre os seus pecados. Disse num momento de desespero: “Maldito o dia em que nasci; não seja abençoado o dia em que a minha mãe me deu à luz. Maldito o homem que trouxe a notícia a meu pai, dizendo: Nasceu-te um filho varão; deixando-o muito feliz. E seja esse homem como as cidades que o Senhor derrubou e não se arrependeu; porque não me matou desde o ventre; ou que a minha mãe pudesse ter sido o meu túmulo, e o seu ventre sempre grande comigo. Porque saí do ventre para ver trabalho e tristeza, para que os meus dias fossem consumidos pela vergonha?” Jeremias 20:14-18.

A morte de uma criança pequena ou de um adolescente, ou mesmo de um adulto, na família, principalmente se for provocada por um acidente ou algo evitável, pode fazer com que os familiares se acusem mutuamente pela sua negligência. Os membros da família podem tornar-se inimigos uns dos outros, causando um sofrimento ainda maior. Uma doença prolongada que parece recusar-se a ser curada como Parkinson ou diabetes, uma deficiência física como cegueira ou destreza, um prognóstico negativo que prevê intervenção médica não pode ajudar como um problema nas costas ou no osso da anca; pode levar-nos a um ciclo de desespero e desânimo e levar à depressão e até ao suicídio.

8 Afastai-vos de mim, todos vós que praticais a iniquidade; porque o Senhor ouviu a voz do meu pranto.

David está a ordenar aos “que praticam a iniquidade”, as forças demoníacas espirituais que não são de carne e osso, os principados, as potestades, os soberanos das trevas deste mundo, a maldade espiritual nos lugares celestiais, que se afastem dele. Efésios 6:12. A nossa guerra não ocorre apenas no domínio físico, mas muito mais no espiritual. David está a repreender o diabo. Quando repreendemos o diabo, ele deve fugir. “Resiste ao diabo e ele fugirá de ti. Aproxima-te de Deus, e Ele aproximar-se-á de ti”, Tiago 4:7b-8. David lutando a luta da fé. “O choro pode durar uma noite, mas a alegria vem pela manhã”, Salmos 30:5. Deus responde às nossas orações e envia alívio. “Ele enviou a Sua palavra e os curou, e os livrou da destruição”, Salmos 107:20.

9 O Senhor ouviu a minha súplica; o Senhor receberá a minha oração.

O apóstolo Paulo diz-nos que quando abrimos o nosso coração em oração e súplica com ações de graças, Deus ouve as nossas orações e responde. Ele envia-nos paz de coração e de mente que excede todo o nosso entendimento, Filipenses 4:6-7. O Senhor diz: “Invoca-me, e eu te responderei”, Jeremias 33:3a. Nos salmos encontramos: “Ele me invocará, e eu lhe responderei: estarei com ele na angústia: eu o livrarei”, Salmo 91:15ab.

Em Habacuque 2:4b, o Senhor diz-nos que a resposta virá, mesmo que demore a chegar. “Embora demore, espere: porque certamente virá, não tardará.” Espere, a resposta está a chegar! “É bom que o homem tenha esperança e espere em silêncio pela salvação do Senhor”, Lamentações 3:26. “Porque o Senhor não rejeitará para sempre; Porque Ele não aflige nem entristece de bom grado os filhos dos homens”, Lamentações 3:31-33.

10 Que todos os meus inimigos fiquem envergonhados e angustiados (perturbados): voltem e sejam subitamente envergonhados.

David termina o salmo orando contra os seus inimigos. Em contraste, encontramos Jesus na cruz a dizer: “Pai, perdoa-lhes; porque não sabem o que fazem”, Lucas 23:34. Alguns acreditam que Jesus estava a falar especificamente aos soldados romanos que apenas obedeciam às ordens. Em Mateus 23:35, antes da Sua Paixão, Jesus condenou os fariseus pela sua hipocrisia e disse: “Para que caia sobre vós todo o sangue justo, derramado sobre a terra, desde o sangue do justo Abel até ao sangue de Zacarias, filho de Barachias, a quem mataste entre o templo e o altar.”

Os escribas e os fariseus sabiam melhor, por isso, para eles era a maior condenação. Eram os falsos pastores e mercenários que não se preocupavam com o rebanho, João 10:13. “Aquele que sabe fazer o bem e não o faz, para ele isso é pecado”, Tiago 4:17. “Quando vier o senhor da vinha, que fará àqueles agricultores? …. Ele destruirá miseravelmente aqueles homens ímpios e arrendará a sua vinha a outros agricultores, que lhe darão os frutos na sua estação. Por isso vos digo: O reino de Deus vos será tirado e será dado a uma nação que produza os seus frutos”, Mateus 21:40-41 e 43. “Haverá choro e ranger de dentes”, Mateus 24:51b.

No entanto, no Sermão da Montanha, as palavras de Jesus estão assim registadas: “Ouvistes o que foi dito: Amarás o teu próximo e odiarás o teu inimigo. Mas eu vos digo: Amai os vossos inimigos, abençoai os que vos amaldiçoam, fazei o bem aos que vos odeiam e orai pelos que vos usam maliciosamente e vos perseguem; para que sejais filhos do vosso Pai que está nos Céus”, Mateus 5:43-45a. Rezemos, pois, contra a má influência dos nossos inimigos sobre nós e sobre o mundo, ao mesmo tempo que demonstramos amor e rezamos pela sua conversão à fé. Em nome de Jesus, oramos. Amém.

Originalmente publicado 11-08-2024.

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Embracing Life's Seasons

 Embracing Life’s Seasons

January 6, 2026

A compilation

Audio length: 14:18
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As humans, we all have to undergo many changes in our lives. From getting married, having kids, starting a new job or business, losing a loved one, and more are all indicators that we are about to undergo a season of transition and change.

Seasons of transition and change can be confusing, overwhelming, and just plain scary sometimes. The possibilities of what’s ahead may seem endless and cause great worry when you don’t know what the future holds. Although these times of transition and change may cause great worry, we must remember that our God is the one who holds our future. … We serve a God who knows the beginning and the end.

We must remember that our God is walking alongside us as we undergo these many changes in our lives and is well aware of our concerns. One of the greatest ways to remind ourselves of what God has to say during these times of transition and change is reading His Word. God has left us with His Word to help give us peace during these seasons where everything around us or in us is changing.

Here are [some] scriptures to meditate on during seasons of transition and change:

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you’” (Psalm 32:8).

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

“For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you’” (Isaiah 41:13).

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).—Crystal Monroe¹

Times of transformation

It is often the times of change, hardship, and transition that God uses to transform His people into His likeness to be a people who declare His praise. A simple truth about transition is that life is one big transition as God changes us to be conformed to Christ (Romans 8:28–30). Much of this time of growth isn’t pretty, but is filled with hard days marked by persevering faith that God provides. And as He is with us, draws near, and changes us, He produces character and hope in Him through the Spirit (Romans 5:3–5). …

Here are some truths we can cling to as we find our hope in Jesus, in the gospel, and in God’s goodness amidst the changing seasons of life.

—Seasons of change grow our trust in God and ability to rely on Him. ... This can be so hard as we wait for what’s next, as we settle into a new rhythm of life, or as our lives are in a bit of upheaval. But the truth that God is fully trustworthy is one that we can cling to and rely on as He builds our trust in Him in the unknown. Knowing He is sovereignly in control can bring peace and dependence on His plan and goodness in all of life. …

—Change is a time to actively give thanks to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who is with us every step of the way! No matter what season we’re in, we can have confidence that God is present with us, cares, and can bring us His perfect peace. For that we give Him great thanks and praise!

—Prayer is a key to allowing God to work in these times. In all the waiting, unknown, and change, we must give each moment over to the Lord, trusting in His goodness along the way and surrendering our own plans to Him.

—God is our complete satisfaction and fulfillment. These times bring us to our knees reminding us that Jesus is our true satisfaction; He is all we need. It is not our home, our schedule, our comforts, or our own securities that keep us secure, it is our good Savior who is with us, loves us, cares, and fully satisfies every longing of our hearts. …

We have a God who is faithful, He is with us, and He is always working in every season of life to transform and redeem His creation to display His glory.—Gospel in Everyday²

Searching for the treasures

In the Bible, King Solomon described the cycle of life in Ecclesiastes 3 by seasons—seasons of birth and of death, of planting and of harvesting, of trying and of giving up, of gaining and of losing, of grieving and of laughing. He prefaced this by declaring, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

One thing that is certain in life is that we all go through seasons, which will often require navigating change and new challenges. Some seasons of life we will look forward to and embrace with gratitude and joy. Other seasons of life may be difficult ones, with loss, tragedy, or health challenges. In every season, we know that God is with us and working in and through our circumstances for our good (Romans 8:28).

There are seasons where God is at work in our lives to shape something new in our hearts. We experience seasons where blessings abound, and seasons where the blessings are hidden and we have to search for them, and in the process we grow closer to Him. “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name” (Isaiah 45:3).

No matter what season we’re currently living in, we can search for the treasures this time holds for us—even during the trying seasons of life.—Ronan Keane

Trusting the God of all seasons

“I am the Lord, and there is no other. I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things” (Isaiah 45:6–7).

Life is full of seasons. Some are bright and joyful, filled with blessings and clarity. Others feel dark and heavy, marked by pain, uncertainty, or loss. In this passage, God reminds us that He is Lord over every season—both the light and the darkness, the good times and the bad.

The world offers many explanations for why things happen—chance, luck, human power—but God declares: “I am the Lord, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:6). There is no rival. No one else shapes history or holds our future. This truth anchors us when life feels unstable.

God says He creates both light and darkness. Light symbolizes joy, truth, and blessing. Darkness often represents confusion, trial, or hardship. Both are realities of life, and both fall under His rule. We can take comfort that darkness never has the final word—because even in it, God is present and working.

When Isaiah’s words were spoken, Israel was in exile. They needed to hear that Babylon and Persia weren’t in control—God was. The same is true for us. Our lives are not shaped by random chance or hostile forces but by a God who rules with wisdom and love.

Because the Lord is sovereign over every season, we can rest when life feels chaotic. We can worship with confidence, knowing His rule never changes. We can endure trials with hope, believing God brings purpose out of pain.

Seasons change, but God remains the same. Whether you are walking in sunlight or shadow today, take heart: the Lord of every season holds you in His hand.—Mark Cole³

A purpose for every season

Life is made up of different seasons—some pleasant, others painful; some filled with joy, others with challenges. Just as nature experiences spring, summer, autumn, and winter, so also do we face various seasons in our spiritual journey. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” This truth calls us to recognise that God is sovereign over every moment of our lives.

Whether you are in a season of abundance or lack, laughter or tears, growth or pruning, one constant must remain: our trust in God. Trusting God in every season means acknowledging His perfect timing, surrendering to His plan, and walking by faith even when the path is unclear. [We can] embrace every season as a divine appointment rather than a setback, knowing that God is always working behind the scenes for our good and His glory.—Samuel Arimoro⁴

Published on Anchor January 2026. Read by Debra Lee. Music by Michael Fogarty.

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¹ Crystal Monroe, “10 Scriptures to Meditate on During Seasons of Transition and Change,” confidentwomanco.com, July 17, 2022, https://confidentwomanco.com/2022/07/17/10-scriptures-to-meditate-on-during-seasons-of-transition-and-change

² “The Gospel and Transitions in Life,” raisingeverydaydisciples.com, https://raisingeverydaydisciples.com/the-gospel-and-transitions-in-life

³ Mark Cole, “Trusting the God of All Seasons,” www.markcole.ca, September 29, 2025, https://www.markcole.ca/trusting-the-god-of-all-seasons

⁴ Samuel Arimoro, “Trusting God in Every Season,” samuelarimoro.wordpress.com, June 2, 2025, https://samuelarimoro.wordpress.com/2025/06/02/trusting-god-in-every-season

Copyright © 2026 The Family International

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Is the Bible True?

 

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Spreading the Good News

 

By P.  Amsterdam

Audio length: 9:04
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The Bible declares that this world, and our lives within it, are not all that there is, and that this life is only a portion of our existence as our spirits continue to live after the death of our bodies. God’s Word also teaches that it’s only possible for us, as humans, to be in God’s presence in the afterlife if we are first reconciled with Him. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

In His great love for the world and each of us in it, God made it possible to bridge the gap between us and Him through Jesus, who gave His life for our sins. Because of this great act of love, our sins are forgiven when we receive Jesus as our Savior, and therefore we will live in God’s presence in the life to come (Ephesians 2:4–6). This is the profound truth that we, as Christians, believe. What a tremendous comfort to know that, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, everyone who receives Him will live with God eternally in the life to come!

There is also a sad part to this story, which is that not everyone has heard the truth of God’s plan of salvation, and many people don’t know or don’t understand or haven’t accepted that eternal life with God is available to them through faith in Jesus. Most of us didn’t know this either, until we heard it from another Christian, either personally or through Christian publications or via the media. Because we were told, we believed, and we inherited eternal life. “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

I came to faith because my high school friend witnessed to me, patiently answered my questions, and kept the explanations simple enough that I could understand. He showed me some key Bible verses, which spoke powerfully to me. He showed interest, patience, concern, and understanding as he answered my questions and explained God’s deep love for me. My life was completely changed because when I was searching and seeking for answers, someone took the time to witness to me and share their faith.

Perhaps you have a similar story. Someone told you about Jesus or perhaps you heard about salvation from a preacher, or someone witnessed to you at school, or on the street, or in a restaurant. Perhaps it was a friend, a relative, or someone at work, or someone sitting next to you on a bus, train, or plane.

The ways in which we manifest Jesus’ love, acceptance, and compassion for others in our everyday lives—the lives we lead, the love we show, the light of God’s Spirit radiating from within us—is an important part of drawing people to the Lord. But words of explanation are also necessary. We need to talk about the Lord, salvation, and faith to those with whom we interact. As the apostle Paul wrote: “For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:13–14).

People telling others about the gospel is key to conveying the understanding that there is life beyond this life, and that because of God’s deep love for humanity, He has given us the gift, the opportunity, of living with Him forever through Jesus’ death on the cross. If Christians don’t do the “telling,” then many people will miss the opportunity to hear this wonderful news and be saved. No matter what our situation, the call to share this news is always before us. Jesus said: “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit” (John 20:21, 15:16).

Each of us has received the free gift of salvation—free for us but costly for Jesus. He gave all of Himself to redeem humankind, but He depends on us and has commissioned us as Christians to share the message with others. And if we fail to do so, there is no guarantee they’ll hear it some other way.

The apostle Paul succinctly expressed how important sharing the gospel with others is when he stated, “For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). Other Bible translations of this verse translate this as “An obligation is laid on me” (NRS), “I am compelled to preach” (NIV). Another version expresses it like this: “I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!” (NLT).

As Christians, we have been given the greatest gift anyone can ever receive. We have found the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45–46). We have the privilege of entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Multitudes yearn for what we already know and have received, whether they realize it or not.

Because of God’s love and mercy, we are privileged to know the truth, the purpose and meaning of life. We have a relationship with God, our heavenly Father, that will extend into eternity. Others are seeking for the answers and purpose and to understand the meaning of life, and God, in His love, wants them to have the opportunity to know the way, the truth, and the life that can only be found through Jesus (John 14:6). How sad, how deeply regrettable it is, when we as Christians, who are so richly blessed, don’t share the truth with others, when Jesus’ directive to share the good news with others is ignored.

It most definitely can be a challenge to do this with the busy lives we all lead. Yet Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross for each one of us, and another Christian sacrificed time and effort to share the good news with us. As has been said, Christ alone can save this world, but Christ can’t save this world alone. Someone has to tell people about Jesus and salvation, and when God brings a person across our path, we are that someone.

If we truly recognize the deep love and concern God has for each person, and that Jesus gave His life so they can possess eternal life, then we will feel compelled to tell those whom the Lord leads us to or brings across our path—even if it’s inconvenient, difficult, costly, or humbling.

We are directed by the Savior of our souls to present the opportunity to know Him to others—to bring the awareness of the great gift that was freely given to us to those who have not yet heard or understood the gospel message. Are we willing to do this? Do we pray for souls, and then put feet to our prayers? Do we pray for laborers who will share the message with others, and are we willing to be those laborers ourselves? Do we pray for the Lord to bring those who are searching across our path? Do we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us to those who will respond to God’s love? Are we willing to give some of our time, effort, thought, prayer, and action toward the commission Jesus has given us? When faced with someone in need of eternal life, do we take action by sharing the message of salvation with them?

We have been commissioned to be His witnesses and to proclaim the gospel through our lives, our words, and our actions. “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

If we’re committed to doing what Jesus has asked of us, we will do our part to share the good news with others. If we realize the eternal effect it will have on someone’s life and future, we will be faithful to His great commission. If we love our neighbors as ourselves, as Jesus taught us to, then we will be compelled to let them know how deeply God loves them, and to show them how they can enter the kingdom of heaven through believing in Jesus.

Let’s each do our part to spread the good news and help others to come to faith in Jesus and to receive His gift of salvation and eternal life.

Originally published April 2013. Adapted and republished January 2026. Read by Jon Marc.

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“De manhã ouvirás a minha voz, Senhor; de manhã te apresentarei a minha oração e aguardarei.” - Salmo 5

Dennis Edwards

Hoje vamos analisar o Salmo 5, outro cântico de oração de David.

Salmo 5:1-2 “Dá ouvidos às minhas palavras, Senhor; considera a minha meditação. Escuta a voz do meu clamor, ó Rei meu e Deus meu, pois a ti orarei.”

Vemos David a suplicar a Deus que ouça o seu clamor. Muitas vezes rezamos da mesma forma e com a mesma intenção.

Salmo 5:3 “De manhã ouvirás a minha voz, Senhor; de manhã te apresentarei a minha oração e aguardarei.”

Ao acordarmos de manhã, a nossa primeira e principal reação deve ser a de invocar o Senhor. Não somos suficientemente fortes nem suficientemente sábios para trilhar este caminho com a nossa própria força e sabedoria. Precisamos da intervenção sobrenatural de Deus nas nossas vidas para encontrarmos o caminho através do deserto de confusão que enfrentamos diariamente: a miríade de decisões, questões, pensamentos, emoções, problemas, direções, sejam elas quais forem.

O rei Salomão escreveu que se dedicou à busca da sabedoria e entregou o seu coração à loucura e à insensatez, e ao prazer e à alegria. Ele seguiu os seus desejos plenamente. Qual foi a sua conclusão? “Tema a Deus e guarda os seus mandamentos; porque este é o dever de todo o homem” (Eclesiastes 12:13b).

Ao acordarmos todas as manhãs, devemos lembrar-nos da nossa dependência de Deus, da Sua presença e da Sua bênção nas nossas vidas. Jesus disse: “Sem mim, nada podeis fazer” (João 15:5), mas comigo, “tudo é possível ao que crê” (Marcos 9:23). Ele diz-nos: “Podeis fazer todas as coisas por meio de Mim, porque Eu vos fortalecerei” (Filipenses 4:13), “pois a vossa força será como os vossos dias” (Deuteronómio 33:25). Mas a chave para o Seu poder, força, sabedoria, alegria e paz nas nossas vidas é aproximarmo-nos d’Ele.

Jesus disse: “Vinde a mim, todos os que estais cansados ​​​​e sobrecarregados, e eu vos aliviarei. Tomai sobre vós o meu jugo e aprendei de mim, porque sou manso e humilde de coração; e encontrareis descanso para as vossas almas. Porque o meu jugo é suave e o meu fardo é leve” (Mateus 11:28-30). Se queremos a Sua ajuda para aliviar o nosso fardo, precisamos de ir até Ele. Precisamos de clamar a Ele logo ao acordar, com o nosso primeiro suspiro.

No Salmo 63, vemos David com um pensamento e uma oração semelhantes.

Salmo 63:1-2 “Ó Deus, tu és o meu Deus; de madrugada te buscarei; a minha alma tem sede de ti; a minha carne te deseja muito numa terra seca e cansada, onde não há água, para ver o teu poder e a tua glória, como te tenho visto no santuário.”

David continua.

Salmo 63:3-6 “Porque a tua benignidade é melhor do que a vida; os meus lábios te louvarão. Assim te bendirei enquanto eu viver; em teu nome levantarei as minhas mãos. A minha alma se fartará, como de tutano e de gordura; e a minha boca te louvará com lábios jubilosos, quando me lembrar de ti no meu leito e meditar em ti nas vigílias da noite.”

David medita e clama a Deus no seu leito de manhã e nas vigílias da noite. É totalmente dependente de Deus para o sustentar e ajudar na sua jornada pela vida. Nós também devemos ser.

Salmo 63:7-8 “Porque tu tens sido o meu auxílio, então, à sombra das tuas asas me alegrarei. A minha alma te segue de perto; a tua destra me sustenta.”

David segue o Senhor de perto. Josué, no seu leito de morte, admoestou os israelitas a “apegarem-se ao Senhor, seu Deus” (Josué 23:8). Elias desafiou-os com: “Até quando ficareis indecisos entre duas opiniões? Se o Senhor é Deus, segui-O; mas, se Baal é Deus, segui-O. E o povo não lhe respondeu uma palavra” (1 Reis 18:21).

Porque é que o povo não respondeu? Porque eram de mente dividida e queriam servir dois deuses ao mesmo tempo. Queriam servir os deuses da cultura local, enquanto, na prática, professavam culto ao verdadeiro Deus, o Deus de Abraão, Isaac e Jacob. Não sigamos o seu mau exemplo, para que não colhamos as mesmas consequências.

Salmo 5:4-6 “Pois tu não és um Deus que se agrada da maldade; o mal não habitará contigo. Os insensatos não permanecerão na tua presença; tu odeias todos os que praticam a iniquidade. Destruirás os que falam mentiras; o Senhor abominará o homem sanguinário e enganador.”

Um dia de julgamento está a chegar para todos nós, mas especialmente para os ímpios que rejeitaram a Deus.

Salmo 5:7 “Mas eu entrarei na tua casa pela abundância da tua misericórdia; e com o teu temor me prostrarei diante do teu santo templo.”

David reconhece a sua dependência da misericórdia do Senhor. Ele anda continuamente no temor do Senhor.

Salmo 5:8 “Guia-me, Senhor, na tua justiça, por causa dos meus inimigos; endireita o teu caminho diante de mim.”

David sabe que não possui justiça própria. É somente a graça de Deus que lhe concede a justiça. Suplica a Deus que lhe mostre o caminho que deve seguir, que o torne claro para ele.

Salmo 5:9 “Porque não há fidelidade na sua boca; o seu interior é pura maldade; a sua garganta é um sepulcro aberto; com a língua lisonjeiam.”

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Does God Hear Your Voice in the Morning? - Psalm 5

 

Psalm 5 - A Psalm of David          Comments by Dennis Edwards

Psalm 5:1-2 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto You will I pray.

God has promised that He will respond to our prayers or calls for help. The Lord has said through Prophet Jeremiah, “Call upon Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you know not,” Jeremiah 33:3. The Lord has also said, “You shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search for Me, with all your heart,” Jeremiah 29:13.

When King Solomon dedicated the first temple in Jerusalem, the Lord appeared unto him and promised, “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land,” 2 Chronicles 7:14. If we love God, He in turn will love and answer our prayers. “Because we have set our love upon God, therefore will He deliver us: He will set us on high, because we have known His name. We shall call upon Him, and He will answer us: He will be with us in trouble; He will deliver us,” Psalm 91:14-15 edited.

In the New Testament, we have Jesus’ assurance, also, “And whatsoever you shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in My name, I will do it,” John 14:13-14. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you,” John 15:7, “that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you,” John 15:16b. 

In the next chapter Jesus repeats Himself and promises, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever, you shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Until now have you asked nothing in My name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full,” John 16:23b-24.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus also gave the formular for receiving answers to prayer. A-S-K: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened,” Matthew 7:7-8.

Psalm 5:3 My voice shall You hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto You, and will look up.

One of the key verses, if not the key verse of the psalm, reminds us that we should seek God early in the morning before the business of the day begins. If we take time for the morning watch and rise early, God’s voice will come through loud and clear. He will bless the day in front of us, because we have started the day acknowledging Him. It’s like putting, “Seek first the kingdom of God,…and all these things shall be added unto you,” Matthew 6:33, as your guiding principle. 

The first and great commandment is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” Matthew 22:37. If we are seeking God first thing in the morning, we are showing Him that we love Him first, and have Him in first, then everything else will fall into place.

In Jesus’ own life over and over again, we see Him rising up early to spend time with His father. “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed,” Mark 1:35. Before Jesus chose His 12 disciples, He spent the night in prayer. “And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called unto Him His disciples; and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles,” Luke 6:12-13.

At the time of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus led His disciples away to a quite place to rest and have time alone with God. But the people from the cities followed them. Jesus had compassion on them and fed them from five loaves and two fishes. After sending away His disciples, He went and sent the multitudes away, also. Then, “He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone,” Matthew 14:25.

Before His Passion, Jesus, also, spent time in the wee hours of the morning in desperate prayer. God sent an angel to strengthen Him. “And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground,” Luke 22:44.

If Jesus needed time to pray and get alone with God, how much more should we? If Jesus needed time with His father early in the morning before the day started, how much more should we? If Jesus needed time in desperate prayer before major decisions or crisis events, how much more should we?

Psalm 5:4 For You are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with You.

The Lord has “no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn, turn from your evil ways; for why will you die,” Ezekiel 33:11. “God is angry with the wicked every day,” Psalm 7:11b, but God’s hope is that the wicked will repent and turn from his wicked way.

Psalm 5:5-6 The foolish shall not stand in Your sight: You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy them that speak leasing (falsehood or lies): the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

Apostle Pauls tells us, “Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God,” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

Similarly, in Revelation 21:8, we read, “But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” As the Lord has said in the psalm, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God,” Psalm 9:7.

Psalm 5:7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy: and in Your fear will I worship toward Your holy temple.

As usual, David acknowledges his utter dependence on the mercy of God. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are renewed every morning: great is Your faithfulness,” Lamentations 3:22-23.

Psalm 5:8-10 Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. Destroy them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against You.

The Lord through Jeremiah proclaimed, “But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, says the Lord,” Jeremiah 12:17.

Psalm 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in You rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them: let them also that love Your name be joyful in You.

Rejoice, shout for joy, and be joyful; God is over and over again telling us the importance of praise and thanksgiving. In the New Testament, He tells us, “In everything give thanks,” 1 Thessalonians 5:18a, and, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again, I say, Rejoice,” Philippians 4:4.

The Old Testament reminds us, “The joy of the Lord is Your strength,” Nehemiah 8:10c. In the psalms we read that God inhabits the praises of His people, Psalm 22:3. Throughout the psalms we find innumerable reminders that we enter into God’s presence through praise, and thanksgiving. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all you lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing….Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name,” Psalm 100:1,2,4.

Psalm 5:12 For You, Lord, will bless the righteous; with favour will You compass him as with a shield.

In Psalm 32:10-11, we find a similar promise. “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trust in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, you righteous: and shout for joy, all you that are upright in heart.” “Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him,” Proverbs 30:5.

The Lord is our shield and promises to protect us from the evil. “But You, Lord, are a shield for me; my glory and the lifter up of mine head,” Psalm 3:3. In Psalm 28:7, we find again, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped: therefore, my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise Him.”

Lord, help me to seek You first every morning. Help me to walk in praise and thanksgiving for Your wonderful mercies towards me. Shield and protect me, because I trust in You. Amen.

To read another study on Psalm 5 follow the link: https://fightforyourfaith.blogspot.com/2024/06/in-morning-will-i-direct-my-prayer-unto.html

Originally published 11-06-2024.

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In The Morning Will I Direct My Prayer Unto Thee, And Will Look Up - Psalm 5

 

Dennis Edwards

Today we are looking at Psalm 5, another prayer song by David.

Psalm 5:1-2 “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.”

We see David pleading with God to hear his cry. We often pray in the same manner and with the same intent.

Psalm 5:3 “My voice shall You hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.”

When we first get up in the morning our first and foremost reaction should be to call upon the Lord. We are not strong enough or wise enough to make it in our own strength and wisdom. We need the supernatural intervention of God in our lives to find our way through the wilderness of confusion that we face daily: the myriad of decisions, of questions, of thoughts, of emotions, of problems, of directions, whatever they may be.

King Solomon wrote that he immersed himself in the pursuit of wisdom, and gave his heart to know madness and folly, and to enjoy pleasure and mirth. He followed his desires to the full. What was his conclusion? “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13b).

When we awake each morning, we should remind ourselves of our dependence on God and His presence and blessing in our lives. Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5), but with Me, “All things are possible to him that believes” (Mark 9:23). He tells us, “You can do all things through Me, because I will strengthen you” (Philippians 4:13), “for as your days, so shall your strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25). But the key to His power and strength, and wisdom, and joy, and peace in our lives is our coming unto Him.

Jesus said, “Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). If we want His help to make our burden light, we’ve got to come to Him. We’ve got to cry out to Him first thing in the morning with our first breath.

In Psalm 63 we see David with a similar thought and prayer.

Psalm 63:1-2 “O God, You are My God; early will I seek You: my soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see Your power and Your glory, so as I have seen You in the sanctuary.”

David continues.

Psalm 63:3-6 “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus, will I bless You while I live: I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips: when I remember You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the night watches.”

David meditates and cries out to God upon his bed in the morning and in the night watches. He is totally dependent upon God to sustain him and help him in his journey through life. We should be, too.

Psalm 63:7-8 “Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice. My soul follows hard after You: Your right hand upholds me.”

David follows hard after the Lord. Joshua, on his deathbed, admonished the Israelites to “cleave unto the Lord your God” (Joshua 23:8). Elijah challenges them with, “How long will you halt between two opinions? If the Lord be God follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21). 

Why didn’t the people answer? It was because they were double minded and wanted to serve two gods at the same time. They wanted to serve the gods of the culture, while paying lips service to the true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Let us not follow their bad example lest we reap their rewards.

Psalm 5:4-6 “For You are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with You. The foolish shall not stand in Your sight: You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy them that speak lies: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

A day of judgment is coming for all of us, but especially for the wicked who have rejected God.

Psalm 5:7 “But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy: and in Your fear will I worship toward Your holy temple.”

David sees he is dependent on the Lord’s mercy. He walks in the fear of the Lord continually.

Psalm 5:8 “Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face.”

David knows he has no righteousness of his own. It is only God’s grace upon him that gives him righteousness. He pleads to God to show him the way wherein he should walk, to make it plain to him.

Psalm 5:9 “For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.”

How much like today’s world of Facebook and X where we see so much flattery and so much division, so much hatred and anger, indeed, so much wickedness.

Psalm 5:10 “Destroy them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against You.”

It seems today that much of the world has rebelled against God, and all that is called Godly. Much of the world has embraced that which is contrary to God’s desires and thoughts.

Psalm 5:11 “But let all those that put their trust in You rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them: let them also that love Your name be joyful in You.”

God repeatedly calls for us to rejoice in Him, to praise Him, to love Him, to be happy in Him. It God’s joy in our lives that gives us the strength we need for the tasks before us. It’s by maintaining thankfulness throughout our lives that we can find strength to endure life’s difficulties and hardships and avoid the pitfall of bitterness.

Psalm 5:12 “For You, Lord, will bless the righteous; with favour will You compass him as with a shield.”

David ends by reminding us, that if we follow hard after God, and walk in His path, He will be with us and bless us, and be a shield to protect us from evil. That is our desire, Lord. Keep us from the evil.

To read an additional study from a different angle follow the link: https://fightforyourfaith.blogspot.com/2024/11/does-god-hear-your-voice-in-morning.html

Originally published 06-05.2024.

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