Psalm 51: I am an unholy mess.

 

The weekend Psalm for:
March 19, 2021
Read Psalm 51 from the World English Bible
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This is a Penitential Lament Psalm 

The Big Idea
You're a mess. So am I. This Psalm points out a lot of our sins. In fact, it points out the fact that we are born in iniquity. My point here is not to make a point for original sin, but to make a point for sin. 

All around us, we are surrounded by talk of "bad choices," and we are quick to excuse our own faults as anything but our own fault. The concept of evil is making a hasty retreat in our culture.It's not a far stretch to say that rather than causing guilt or shame, evil is often celebrated. 

And then, there are Psalms like this. This is a lament Psalm, yes, but this time, David is lamenting his own selfishness, his own brokenness, his own sin -- and he invites us along for the ride. To face our own selfishness, brokenness, sin.

Think about that enough, and it could leave you hopeless -- there is nothing we can do to fix the mess we are in. There's nothing we can do to fix the mess we are.

The message is clear, throughout. Only God can save us. Think about that first verse for a moment. This is a broad paraphrase, but a faithful one: Have mercy on me not because I'm good, but because You Are. You have more than enough kindness to blot out every one of my sins.

Meditation
Look at the words used to cry out to God. Wash me. Purify me. Create is me a pure heart. Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Deliver me from guilt of bloodshed. 

These are the cries -- the laments -- of someone who has reached the end of themself, and finds themself hopeless on their own. Even their religious activities are meaningless in light of their sin.

As a good friend of mine puts it, No Good News Without Bad News.  In other words, no one can see the need for Jesus Christ to save them until they recognize the hold that sin has on them. A savior can be no use to anyone who thinks they have it all together.  

And let me remind you, when David wrote this Psalm, he was the King. Even his kingness couldn't do him any good.

This week, pray that God will reveal yourself to you. Yes, God loves you, but until you face your sin head-on, there's no room for him to intervene in your life.

Once He does intervene, your only recourse is to Repent and Believe. 

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

• Father God, may ______ see their own sin. Open their eyes to the truth that they are hopeless without you.
• I pray, Father, that ________ will know your mercy, kindness, and grace, and that you have provided a way out of their sin. 
• Almighty God, may ______ be convinced of their sin and hopelessness. 
  
• Lord Jesus, may ______ know the your grace. Let them experience the power of your redemption. 
  
• Father, may ______ know what it means to be purified, cleansed, and restored by your power.

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Romans 1:29-32. You can't fix evil by calling it good
  Lord, forgive us for the many times that we call evil good and even encourage it.Forgive us for tempting your judgement.
  
• Hebrews 8:8-12. He will remember our sins no more.
  Father God, I pray that ______ will know that Jesus Christ their hope for forgiveness. 
  
• 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. Christians are new people.
  Lord Jesus, help ________ to understand that the hopeless, sin-filled, broken person is completely renewed in Jesus Christ. May they take part in that great ministry of reconciliation that shows the lost how they can be found, the broken how they can be made whole, the wounded how they can be healed. Lord, call _______ to repentance.
  

 

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

Psalm 41: Social and Personal Justice

The weekend Psalm for:
March 12, 2021
Read Psalm 31 from the World English Bible
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This is a Lament Psalm 

The Big Idea
There's a lot of talk these days about social justice. Right away, God points out that he cares about the poor. He cares about those who are weak, those who are beaten down. To put it in contemporary terms, God cares about social justice. 

That does not mean, though, that all of life is smooth sailing. God promises that he will be there in the midst of the struggle, not in eliminating the struggle. While there is much to be said about the individualism that dominates our mindset, nevertheless, God's approach to social justice is individual -- he cares about the oppressed. He cares about the oppressor, as well, but if the oppressor will not repent, judgment will ensue.

The promise here is not just for the here and now. The Psalmist says "By this I know that you delight in me, because my enemy doesn’t triumph over me. As for me, you uphold me in my integrity, and set me in your presence forever" (41:11-12). That's not a hurry-up promise of prosperity. I know of a young man who was a pastor in a far-flung place. He died a few years ago, in the most unlikely of circumstances. Despite his enemies, despite his death, they did not triumph over him. They may think they did, but they don't know the rest of the story. 

Again, this is a Messianic Psalm; in other words, it looks forward to Jesus. He knew what it was to have a close friend betray him. It's right there, in verse 9 -- Judas makes a prophetic appearance.

Meditation
Some of us live with pressure, betrayal, and enemies all the time. The ones who seek to do us harm, bring us down, or, as my dad used to say, get the better of us. Some of us have never felt that. Some get told, like Job,  it's your own fault you are in this situation. If you have repented of your sin and turned to Jesus Christ, then you can be confident of this: Your enemies will not triumph over you. 

God is blessed, from everlasting to everlasting -- quite simply, from eternity past all the way to eternity future, with no breaks, gaps, or stumbles. God's promise is built on nothing less than God's Holiness, Perfection, Faithfulness, and Goodness. 

This week, pray that God will reveal himself to you as the Holy God who gave his one and only Son to redeem us, Victory is guaranteed -- by the only one who can truly guarantee it.

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

• Father God, may ______ be one who considers the poor, as your word instructs us.
• I pray, Father, that ________ will know your strength, and know the comfort that you will not abandon him/her/them to the will of their enemies.
• As _______ struggles on their sickbed, may they know that you are the one who sustains them. May they repent of their sins and experience your power.
• If there are those who gossip and tell tales about _____, Lord Jesus, I ask that you will comfort their heart with your truth and drown out the voices of their oppressors. 
• Lord Jesus, may ______ know the comfort of praying Let not my enemies, or this sickness, triumph over me.
  
• Father, may ______ join their voice with Your praise, which runs from everlasting to everlasting.

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Galatians 2:9-11. God cares about the outcast.
  Lord, you told the early church to remember the poor, and may  _____ have the attitude of serving you while being eager to serve others.
• Philippians 4:14-18. Jesus Christ must be proclaimed.
  Father God, I pray that ______ will tell the truth of Jesus Christ in their day-to-day life. May they filled with goodwill, love, and truth. 
  
• 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. May they recognize that if they are not for you, they are against you, and call them to repentance.
  

 

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

Psalm 31: Miserable Faith

The weekend Psalm for:
September.19-20.2009
Read Psalm 31 from the World English Bible
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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