August 20, 2009
RUN WITH GOD. HIS PROMises are worth it!
Psalm 89:19-37
Matt Krauss
Central Truth
God never disappoints those who follow Him. His promises of loyalty and faithfulness are ironclad, in contrast to a world that promises much but regularly dissatisfies.
Key Verse | Psalm 89:33–34
But I will not remove my loyal love from him,
nor be unfaithful to my promise.
I will not break my covenant
or go back on what I promised.
(Psalm 89:33-34)
Psalm 89:19-37
19
Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one,
1
89:19
Some Hebrew manuscripts godly ones
and said:
“I have granted help to one who is mighty;
I have exalted one chosen from the people.
20
I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
21
so that my hand shall be established with him;
my arm also shall strengthen him.
22
The enemy shall not outwit him;
the wicked shall not humble him.
23
I will crush his foes before him
and strike down those who hate him.
24
My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him,
and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
25
I will set his hand on the sea
and his right hand on the rivers.
26
He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father,
my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’
27
And I will make him the firstborn,
the highest of the kings of the earth.
28
My steadfast love I will keep for him forever,
and my covenant will stand firm
2
89:28
Or will remain faithful
for him.
29
I will establish his offspring forever
and his throne as the days of the heavens.
30
If his children forsake my law
and do not walk according to my rules,
3
89:30
Or my just decrees
31
if they violate my statutes
and do not keep my commandments,
32
then I will punish their transgression with the rod
and their iniquity with stripes,
33
but I will not remove from him my steadfast love
or be false to my faithfulness.
34
I will not violate my covenant
or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
35
Once for all I have sworn by my holiness;
I will not lie to David.
36
His offspring shall endure forever,
his throne as long as the sun before me.
37
Like the moon it shall be established forever,
a faithful witness in the skies.” Selah
Dive Deeper | Psalm 89:19-37
Have you ever been let down by someone--perhaps a teacher or boss--who promised you something if you achieved this or accomplished that? Maybe you even do this to yourself. Inevitably, "good" ends up being "not good enough." Contrast this to God who welcomes your weaknesses and imperfections, inviting you to become part of a story in which victory is guaranteed, and unimaginable experiences await. Who would you rather identify with today?
Sadly, I often place my identity in those around and above me, seeking approval that ultimately ends up leading to disappointment and emptiness. Yet during those times, there is always a whisper, and sometimes a roar, calling me to something better and bigger than myself.
In Psalm 89 Ethan writes that someone from David's family would always be king. God had established a covenant with David and made a number of promises that He would never forsake (Psalm 89:28-29). Jesus later came into the world through David's seed (in partial fulfillment of God's covenant with David) and forever changed how we relate to God. By Christ's blood we are adopted into God's family to glorify and honor the one true God who is worthy of full devotion. True devotion to God, however, involves getting your hands dirty in His story. Frequently, it is messy and often involves difficulty, conflict, hardship, and tough consequences. Still interested?
Through this struggle we grow, however, and we become more like the One sent to serve (Mark 10:45). If you are like me, it's hard to focus on God's loyal promises and easier to dwell on the challenges: difficult and awkward conversations, sharing struggles with others, and asking for forgiveness. But eternal security for a friend or colleague is more important than his or her earthly approval, and God's plan is bigger than whatever it is we chase each day. Whoever we choose to identify with today or tomorrow, we must realize that one day God will ultimately declare victory, and the opportunity to have played a big part in His plan will be gone forever.
Discussion Questions
1. In what things do you tend to place your significance, and has that led to fulfillment?
2. Are there people in your life from whom you tend to seek approval at the expense of sharing God-honoring truth?
3. How would God use your gifts if time, resources, or other obstacles weren't an issue? How can you remove those obstacles and play a bigger part in God's plan?