SCRIPTURE: Psalm 108
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth. Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter. Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” [Psalm 108:7-9]
When David writes this psalm, the nation of Israel is facing an enemy: Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered. [Psalm 108:6]
And yet he is praising the Lord and singing of His power and His love.
In the middle of the psalm he reminds himself and his audience that God is bigger than everything and everyone else.
Ephraim is but His helmet, Judah His sceptre, Moab His washbasin, Edom His shoe rack.
But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. [Matthew 5:34-35]
While speaking about oath-taking, Jesus uses this same imagery when He describes the heavens as God’s throne, and the earth as His footstool.
Wow, God is that big, and we are that small?
This is intended to be a healthy dose of perspective, remember who we are, remember Who God is, and humble yourself before Him.
The bible often uses this kind of analogy to make the point of God’s greatness.
The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. [Psalm 104:2-4]
But it is important to notice as well that Ephraim and Judah are positive images (helmet and sceptre) while Moab and Edom are negative (washbasin and shoe rack).
The implication here is that those that honour Him will be honoured, whole those that dishonour Him will be dishonoured.
What kind of object or instrument am I in the hand of the Lord?
David chooses to honour the Lord, even though they are under attack, even though God seems to be letting them down for the moment.
He refuses to give in to the pressure of the worldly powers, he keeps his heart and faith set on the ultimate power and glory of God.
And he becomes a helmet, a sceptre in the hand of the Lord!
PRAYER:
Lord, I submit myself to You today. Use me as Your instrument however You see fit. bring glory to Your name through me!
The psalm starts out with praises for the Lord God for His faithfulness and love. When I awake in the morning, I will sing of His praise and love for this is the day that the Lord has made and I will sing of His praises before all people.
But the praises turn to pleas for release from oppression. Who can do that? God can. Who can help us with our daily struggles. God can. Who is our aid? God is. At all times I need to walk with my risen Saviour because He makes me strong. GodStrong so that I can LiveStrong in His SonShine. Whatever is my lot, with God I can do all things. It is through Him I am victorious. PTL!
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
Refrain
But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
Refrain
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.