God, Don't Give Up on Me!

March 31, 2009

Psalm 138 (NIV)

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. May all the kings of the earth praise you, O Lord, when they hear the words of your mouth. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.

Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.

I’m encouraged to see that David, a man after God’s own heart, begins by praising God for his love and faithful ways. He reminds us of the two things that are high above all other things and those are God’s name and his Word. There is nothing above them, no time …anywhere!

He testifies to us that God answers when we cry out to him and makes us strong. The next few lines jumped off the page at me… “Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.”

Sometimes God seems so close to us and sometimes so far. Because of pride in our lives he has to step back from us…he hates pride and can’t be part of it but he still knows us and waits patiently for us to come back to him.

God is always there watching over his children to save us from danger and complete the work he has begun in us. I love the last line. David encouraged me today that God won’t give up on me; he is the one who fulfills his purpose for me.

But even with all David has said comes the cry of my heart as well… Don’t abandon the work you’re doing in me! God, don’t give up on me!

I have so far to go compared to you, Jesus, help me I pray. I cry out to you…make me strong for I feel so weak. Thank you that you haven’t left me though you seem far away.

I lay down my pride and humble myself before you. I need you, God and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Thank you for your love and faithfulness. Amen.