Read
(By David.)
A Prayer for the Nation
1I praise you, Lord!
You are my mighty rock,
and you teach me
how to fight my battles.
2You are my friend, my fortress,
where I am safe.
You are my shield,
and you made me the ruler
of our people.
3 Why do we humans mean anything
to you, our Lord?
Why do you care about us?
4We disappear like a breath;
we last no longer
than a faint shadow.
5Open the heavens like a curtain
and come down, Lord.
Touch the mountains
and make them send up smoke.
6Use your lightning as arrows
to scatter my enemies
and make them run away.
7Reach down from heaven
and set me free.
Save me from the mighty flood
8of those lying foreigners
who never tell the truth.
9In praise of you, our God,
I will sing a new song,
while playing my harp.
10By your power, kings win wars,
and your servant David is saved
from deadly swords.
11Won't you keep me safe
from those lying foreigners
who never tell the truth?
12Let's pray that our young sons
will grow like strong plants
and that our daughters
will be as lovely as columns
in the corner of a palace.
13May our barns be filled
with all kinds of crops.
May our fields be covered
with sheep by the thousands,
14and every cow have calves.
Don't let our city be captured
or any of us be taken away,
and don't let cries of sorrow
be heard in our streets.
15Our Lord and our God,
you give these blessings
to all who worship you.
Reflect
“Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!”
What a wonderful declaration. David believes it. Do we? Do we believe we are blessed because we belong to God – or are we blessed because of our own hard work?
When we have creativity to solve a problem, courage to face our fears, skill to complete a complicated task, compassion to befriend an outcast, anger to fight an injustice – do we stop to acknowledge the source of our strength and wisdom? Do we know that it is God who has provided the opportunities and life experiences for our training?
David does – and with a heart of gratitude, sings a new song!
David recognizes that although he is the one facing the battle, it is God who trains his hands and gives him the victory.
So often we miss the multitude of ways in which God intervenes on our behalf – and forget that we are dependent for everything – even the energy for the hard work we pride ourselves for. The psalmist challenges us to lift our voices in praise to God who “parts the heavens” to enter our world.
For David, God’s victory is so certain that he can envision the results for his nation. They will be a people blessed with health and abundance and peace – with full barns, plenty of livestock, strong and healthy sons and daughters.
Is it all those material benefits that make us know that we are blessed?
Or is it that amazing inner peace and security we have even in the midst of adversity? If this is so – we are blessed indeed.
We, like David, are amazed that God would care for mere mortals whose lives are like a fleeting shadow. Amazed, yes – but we can be absolutely confident in that care.
Respond
O God, I am blessed because you are my God. Everything I have comes from you. Forgive me when I forget that even my own efforts are possible only because you give me strength. Hear my heartfelt song of gratitude. Amen.
Lynn Smith
Lynn served Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto as Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Development where leadership development became the focus of her involvement with students. After retiring, she co-founded NextLEVEL Leadership, an International organization focused on encouraging Christian women to develop in their leadership roles in the marketplace, profession or ministry. Her passion for seeing others grow in their leadership confidence has inspired her to teach and mentor wherever God calls. Publications: Gender or Giftedness: a Challenge to rethink the basis for leadership within the Faith Community; Mentoring: Leaving a Legacy; Fred's Not Here - Living with Alzheimer Disease takes Courage