(Psalm 89:1-52) I will sing of the graciousness of the Lord forever;
To all generations I will make Your faithfulness known with my mouth.2 For I have said, “Graciousness will be built up forever;
In the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.”
3 “I have made a covenant with My chosen;
I have sworn to My servant David,
4 I will establish your descendants forever
And build up your throne to all generations.” Selah
5 The heavens will praise Your wonders, Lord;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies is comparable to the Lord?
Who among the sons of the mighty is like the Lord,
7 A God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones,
And awesome above all those who are around Him?
8 Lord God of armies, who is like You, mighty Lord?
Your faithfulness also surrounds You.
9 You rule the surging of the sea;
When its waves rise, You calm them.
10 You Yourself crushed Rahab like one who is slain;
You scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.
11 The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours;
The world and all it contains, You have established them.
12 The north and the south, You have created them;
Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Your name.
13 You have a strong arm;
Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Mercy and truth go before You.
15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
Lord, they walk in the light of Your face.
16 In Your name they rejoice all the day,
And by Your righteousness they are exalted.
17 For You are the glory of their strength,
And by Your favor our horn is exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to the Lord,
And our king to the Holy One of Israel.
19 Once You spoke in vision to Your godly ones,
And said, “I have given help to one who is mighty;
I have exalted one chosen from the people.
20 I have found My servant David;
With My holy oil I have anointed him,
21 With whom My hand will be established;
My arm also will strengthen him.
22 The enemy will not deceive him,
Nor will the son of wickedness afflict him.
23 But I will crush his adversaries before him,
And strike those who hate him.
24 My faithfulness and My favor will be with him,
And in My name his horn will be exalted.
25 I will also place his hand on the sea,
And his right hand on the rivers.
26 He will call to Me, ‘You are my Father,
My God, and the rock of my salvation.’
27 I will also make him My firstborn,
The highest of the kings of the earth.
28 I will maintain My favor for him forever,
And My covenant shall be confirmed to him.
29 So I will establish his descendants forever,
And his throne as the days of heaven.
30 “If his sons abandon My Law
And do not walk in My judgments,
31 If they violate My statutes
And do not keep My commandments,
32 Then I will punish their wrongdoing with the rod,
And their guilt with afflictions.
33 But I will not withhold My favor from him,
Nor deal falsely in My faithfulness.
34 I will not violate My covenant,
Nor will I alter the utterance of My lips.
35 Once I have sworn by My holiness;
I will not lie to David.
36 His descendants shall endure forever,
And his throne as the sun before Me.
37 It shall be established forever like the moon,
And a witness in the sky is faithful.” Selah
38 But You have rejected and refused,
You have been full of wrath against Your anointed.
39 You have repudiated the covenant of Your servant;
You have profaned his crown in the dust.
40 You have broken down all his walls;
You have brought his strongholds to ruin.
41 All who pass along the way plunder him;
He has become a disgrace to his neighbors.
42 You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries;
You have made all his enemies rejoice.
43 You also turn back the edge of his sword,
And have not made him stand in battle.
44 You have put an end to his splendor
And cast his throne to the ground.
45 You have shortened the days of his youth;
You have covered him with shame. Selah
46 How long, Lord?
Will You hide Yourself forever?
Will Your wrath burn like fire?
47 Remember what my lifespan is;
For what futility You have created all the sons of mankind!
48 What man can live and not see death?
Can he save his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah
49 Where are Your former acts of favor, Lord,
Which You swore to David in Your faithfulness?
50 Remember, Lord, the taunt against Your servants;
How I carry in my heart the taunts of all the many peoples,
51 With which Your enemies have taunted, Lord,
With which they have taunted the footsteps of Your anointed.
52 Blessed be the Lord forever!
Amen and Amen.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
No matter how many questions David had, or how many times he felt he had to vent about his struggles, David still continued to bless the Lord! It helps to know what God says in HIs word and remember God's promises in order to remain steadfastly striving in our faith. It is the seeking after God that keeps us seeking after God, because He is faithful and gracious, and will provide whatever it is that we need!
Having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ helps us immensely with all other relationships, in several different ways. Jesus is not only our perfect example of unconditional love, but He will help us in putting that into practice - because - this love is not something we feel, but something we do. It is a choice to love someone, no matter what. Therefore, it cannot have exceptions, and therefore it cannot accommodate unconditional approval.
For example, when a child does something (which is clearly against God's will) which requires disapproval, a parent doesn't stop loving that child. When a child is under 18, the parent/s should apply appropriate discipline, while still exercising God's love and wisdom. There are other sins which will "only" require compassionate and patient teaching and prayer; like when a child struggles with their sexual identity, and even a child's choice not to become a believer. And while sometimes tempting, we should never withhold love, even though a child (of any age) does something to create dysfunction within the relationship. Continue loving and praying for them, while remaining available to them for reconciliation.
Now let's apply these verses to a marriage. Whether one is married or not, these are good things to know. If one is single right now, it is good to work on becoming the kind of believer who would already be a good spouse!
FAITHFULNESS is the key word found here! Just as God is committed to fulfilling His promises and covenants, we are to remain committed - faithful! This act incorporates other attributes, otherwise the relationship will struggle and fail.
Understand, relationships will struggle! None of us are perfect! We cannot ever promise anyone that we will never hurt them, because we will. And they will hurt us. Just like David expresses his struggles and questions throughout verses 38-51, and yet, he still remains committed in his relationship with the Lord, in blessing Him and striving to live in His will.
With God's agape, unconditional, sacrificial love, we cannot ever withhold our love. Let's ask ourselves why we would. This temptation comes out of anger, which is a secondary emotion. We have to determine how we feel, whether disappointed, jealous, fearful, anxious... Now it is important to work it out together. A working relationship requires work! This requires listening, patience, compassion and understanding.
If and when we are in the wrong, we need to humbly see our mistake/s, confess and apologize (whether the other person forgives us or not). And when and if we are the one who is wronged, we must humbly forgive with mercy and grace (whether the other person apologizes or not). It is when we hold grudges that we withhold. And when we hold on to anger, we will become bitter and vindictive and seek revenge. These things are the opposite of finding and establishing peace.
Each person should learn, understand and exercise God's justice, fairness and truth. In this, we will avoid being deceptive or divisive. In this, we will be able to trust each other, and feel safe, protected, accepted and loved.
Don't ask what you are getting out of a relationship, but ask yourself what you are doing to build and make the relationship stronger. As the Lord helps us, and even came to earth in flesh to sacrificially serve us, as our perfect living example, we are to serve and help one another. When we are all giving 100%, we will be receiving 100%. This will help bring joy to our lives. Not just in receiving, but there is such great joy and blessings in giving and helping others, especially our loved ones! A marriage really is teamwork!
While children should never be the glue to anyone's marriage, or be responsible for holding a family together, they should be involved in helping and serving the family. Their responsibilities should be appropriate to their age and ability. This will help equip and prepare them for their future. If parents do everything for them, and never let them struggle through (doable) challenges, they will remain dependent. As adults, they will assume that the world owes them, and they will have unfair expectations on others, especially in their own marriage. Therefore, we need to teach our children to put their trust in the Lord, asking Him to help strengthen and guide them in all things!
While we are not to have favorites, meaning, we are not to be prejudicial in any way, we are to exercise appropriated commitment... Not to have favorites, but to show favor and devotion appropriately. So, here we can see the importance of a true believer marrying another true believer! God should come first in our lives. Then, our spouse, because as God created us, the two become one flesh. THEN our children (to be equally loved so that we don't create jealousy or sibling rivalry).
If any of these things are out of order, things will become dysfunctional. Like if a child comes before a spouse, the child will realize this and use this dynamic to get their own way, which will only create more friction and divisions within a marriage and family. And when a child sees a marriage in trouble, they will experience fear and anxiety, because they rarely want their parents to divorce! Or if a child sees that they are the ones who control the family, they will experience frustrations, fear, anxiety and anger, because what do they know? They are only a child!
If anyone comes before the Lord, they will quickly fail, frustrate and disappoint! There isn't anyone who can take the place of God. So, to have any healthy relationship, an extremely easy thing to remember is this: the closer we all grow to the Lord, the closer we will all grow together, in His peace, unity and joy.
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