He is Faithful
Psalm 31:1-5 (The Message - MSG)
“I run to You, God; I run for dear life. Don’t let me down! Take me seriously this time! Get down on my level and listen, and please—no procrastination! Your granite cave a hiding place, Your high cliff aerie a place of safety. You’re my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb. Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide. Free me from hidden traps; I want to hide in You. I’ve put my life in Your hands. You won’t drop me, You’ll never let me down.”
At times I find it a tad bit humorous when I really allow the Word of God to speak directly into my life….point blank into my heart. Not that God is trying to be funny, but sometimes there is irony in what I expect of Him in comparison to what I expect of me. Case in point: “….and please – no procrastination!” (MSG). In the more common NIV translation, it reads, “Come quickly to my rescue.” Either way, what I so often am expecting of God is an immediate response, a well-timed rescue (on my timeline), and not to let me down. It sounds rather presumptuous of me, especially when God has been more than a little patient with my own procrastination of things He has asked me to do. “In a minute, Lord” has escaped my mouth way too many times through my 67 years. Yet, I want what I want when I want it from God, especially when I am feeling unsure or afraid.
The psalmist David was not afraid to speak insistently to God for his needs. I think God rather likes this kind of direct approach for two reasons. First, being so upfront with God implies that we know He is capable of what we are asking….we believe in who He is and what He can do. If we didn’t have that knowledge of Him, would we bother to run to Him? Would we expect Him to be our protection….our refuge……a place to hide from the things of this world?
Secondly, David had an intimate relationship with God. He spent many hours while tending sheep talking with God and listening to Him. As king, David knew that he was only in that position because of God. Relationship makes all the difference for our being able to ask with such boldness. David knew the love of God and that God would always be there for Him….that God would never let Him down. That is a promise from God that has Grace written all over it. Unlike, “In a minute, Lord.”
God loves to come to us when we call out to Him. He is ever attentive to our cry for help….faithful to be there for us as the Father that He is, the Deliverer of our souls, and the Spirit who guides us each and every day. Our relationship with Him is real and one we can always count on. He is faithful for our best.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being Love, pure and unconditional, for being our hiding place, our refuge, a safe place. Thank You for Your Grace that meets us in our waywardness, drawing us back to You. May we never put our whole trust in anyone or anything but You, as we are brought to each new day. And may all that we do bring glory to Your Name. Amen.