Day 180

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Gazing in the Heart of the Saints

Weekly Devotional

June 28— Psalm 60: Good News and Bad News

Reflection

Martin Luther summarized the Psalms with these words: "In the Psalms we looked into the heart of all the saints, and we seem to gaze into fair pleasure gardens—into heaven itself, indeed—where blooms in sweet, refreshing, gladdening flowers of holy and happy thoughts about God and all his benefits." Perhaps that's been your experience as well this month as you've walked through the pages of the Bible's hymnbook.

Today as we reach the halfway mark in our year-long journey through the Bible, let's stop and rest once again by lingering over Psalm 60, in which David responds to the events filling his life at the time. See what parallels we can draw with our own life as we read.

With God's Help...

What was the best piece of good news you received in the last year? What was the worst piece of bad news? Have you ever had someone come to you with the bittersweet statement, "I have good news and bad news..."? Which did you want to hear first?

Psalm 60 was written in the aftermath of both good news and bad news for King David. At the peak of his power, David enjoyed victory over his foes near and far (2 Samuel 8:3-5). (That's the good news.) But David's sweeping success in battle caused his enemies to join forces through alliances. This psalm indicates that Edom attached Judah from the south, bringing havoc on David's thinly defended homeland. (That's the bad news.) After hearing the bleak report, David sat down to capture his emotions in a Spirit-inspired song: Psalm 60.

David clearly recognized the sovereign hand of God in what had happened. Not only does God move in the affairs of men; he possesses the very nations (v. 7-8)! Therefore, David could glory in God's mighty strength, knowing that "With God's help we shall do mighty things" (v. 12)—a confidence you can echo today. Find a pencil and complete these two sentences:
  1.  "As I look at my circumstances, the bad news is...."
  2.  "As I look at the resources of God, the good news is...."

Prayer

Heavenly Father, that phrase rings in our ears: 'With God's help we shall do mighty things.' David could say that in the face of an uncertain battle. Help us say it as well in the uncertain battles of our own life. We want to be your instrument to do mighty things in our world today. Please cleanse us, use us and give us confidence in your victory—just as you did David. In the name of our Savior. Amen!

Help Us God!






© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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