Psalm 31: Miserable Faith

The weekend Psalm for:
September.19-20.2009
Read Psalm 31 from the World English Bible
(Link Opens In a New Window)

The Big Idea
There it is, right at the end of verse 1. It's not only the big idea in this Psalm, it's one of the biggest ideas in scripture. Salvation is based on God's righteousness, not mine: ...in your righteousness deliver me. I'd far rather trust myself to God's faithfulness than my own.

This is a Messianic Psalm; in other words, it looks forward to Jesus. But it also has a message for us, too: Jesus is not only Lord and Savior, he is also our example.

Don't you wish you could escape all of life's troubles, trials, and difficulty? It's an appealing idea, but if Jesus faced troubles, so will we. The promise here is quite simple: You will face affliction and distress of soul (vs 7), grief sorrow and sin all around (vs 9 & 10), and abuse from people who either hate us or misjudge our actions (vs 15-18).  Even in that, God will not abandon us.

Like Psalm 1, this Psalm shows two paths of life. This time, the Psalmist reminds us that hope in God must prevail to the end, and then, victory for God's people. Again, not because we are so righteous, but because God himself saves us through his righteousness.

Meditation
It's hard to persevere and be faithful in a prosperous age. Somehow, we easily fall into the trap that we deserve the good things God grants to us. Remember that all Good comes from God, but that we won't get all the good things until all of life is redeemed at Christ's return. In this life, we will have sorrows. The good news from this Psalm, and from the Gospels, is that He will faithfully see us through our challenges.

Here's the hard question, then: Is God your rock and your fortress? Because of your confidence in Him, do you live your life courageously, without fear, and in great confidence?

This weekend, throw aside your self-confidence, and instead focus on growing your God-confidence. Take time to pray for someone who is beaten down by fear, sorrows, and the reproach of others. Pray that they will find their strenth and comfort in the one who is righteous. Pray that they depend on the righteousness of God, and not their own.

Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, I ask that you will be _________'s rock and refuge. May _____ know you as a strong fortress from sin and its effects. 
• I pray, Father, that ________ will know the disappointment of living for the approval of others. May ______ realize that you are the only faithful one. While others lay traps for us, you provide shelter.
  
• If ________ has idols (earthly things that control him/her) may they see them as worthless and turn to you and your steadfast love. 
• Father God, when people are abusive toward _______, protect them from the sting of words and emotional abuse. May _______ say to you, "You are my God," and I pray that you will step in quickly to save and protect him/her.
• Lord God, I thank you that the righteous can stand before you. Make that true of ______'s life. May _______ know your grace and your leading: May you know his/her way and watch over him/her.
• Father, make your face shine upon _____. May he/she take courage and confidence in you. May ______ wait on the Lord, but Lord, make the time of waiting short!
  

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Romans 9:33. Jesus is a rock of offense.
  Lord, your word tells us that Jesus is the rock of offense, so may _____ never be offensive in him/her self, but, Jesus, please be so visible in _______'s life that the unfaithful are offended by you. May ______ believe in Jesus, and may he/she never be put to shame.
• Revelation 7:15. God will shelter.
  Father God, I pray that ______ will be "washed in the blood of the Lamb" and come to faith in Jesus Christ, so that he/she will be sheltered by you. 
• Romans 3:24 & I Corinthians 1:30. Jesus is our redemption.
  Lord Jesus, help ________ to understand the power of your redemption. Make it clear to _______ that redemption is a gift that comes by the grace of God. Also, Lord Jesus, make it clear that you are his/her only source for righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

Note: A few words that might need explanation, though God himself will make these clear to you. Righteousness is proper standing and rightness before God, sanctification is living an ever-more holy life because God is at work in us, and redemption is being bought back from the penalty and burdens of sin.

((C) 2009, 2021). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD