Watching God take over

Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.

Scripture: Psalm 54:1-2 (But please, read the entire chapter; it’s short.) (NIV) Save me, O God, by your name;
vindicate me by your might.
Hear my prayer, O God;
listen to the words of my mouth.

In times of trouble, it is easy to feel hurt and betrayed. Maybe you’re suddenly out of a job and wondering how to pay the mortgage. Maybe you’ve been abandoned in a relationship. Maybe you feel cornered because a creditor is hounding you. David clearly feels hurt and betrayed here, but we don’t know in what context he is reaching out to God and we don’t know explicitly who injured him.

What we see from David is the same pattern from him throughout the Psalms. David first presents his plea to God, then he turns it over to God, then he praises him for resolution. What is important for us to see is that David is confident that he can be open with God and express his true feelings and not hold back. He’s angry and he lets God know it. He isn’t angry AT God, it should be noted; he’s just angry, either at someone or just the situation.

Here’s how it looks, in order: David asks that God “save” him. He asks that his name be vindicated. He tells God the problem, as he sees it. He reminds himself that God is his helper. He remembers that God will sustain him during this tough time. He allows for God’s justice to seek vengeance for him. He is even so bold to believe that God can obliterate his enemy. (“In your faithfulness DESTROY them.” That’s way cool!). He makes a freewill offering to God. He praises God. And, finally, God delivers him from his troubles.

It’s no different today. Maybe we were let go by a merciless boss. Maybe the bank looks only at the bottom line and not you. Maybe our significant other is heartless. If we call out to God in our difficulties, he tells us he will help us. God offers us a safe haven from our strife. Being angry is OK for a little while, but eventually, we have to let go of that anger, because it leaves us bitter – and worse, stuck. God wants us to move forward. That means forgiving the offender, and turning our problems over to God and letting him deal with it. That is so much simpler than worrying about things we can’t control.

How does this apply to my life?

Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to let go of things I can’t control, like old bosses, finances, relationships. Help me to know what I should deal with and what I should give up to you. Then help me not to worry as I watch you take over. Amen

Doug Mead
Parenting Solo

Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Vol. 4, No. 76

This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=51