It’s Friday, so I am back in Psalms and it fits so well with all that Peter had to say to us this week about the fiery trials. The writer of the Psalms I read today spoke of the hard times but praised God through it all. He recognized how incredible our God is, how powerful and mighty He is and how loving and personal He is. The acknowledgement of God can help us to see His presence in every situation. He never leaves us. He is there to restore, support and strengthen us (1 Peter 5:10).

In Psalm 19, David is in awe of the heavens. When he considered the skies, he saw the craftsmanship of God. When he watched the sun move across the sky each day, He sat back in wonder of the God who designed such a plan. He saw God’s perfection in His creation, commandments, instructions, decrees and laws. He did not see them as restrictive but described them as sweet, fine and useful.

They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.
They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. – Psalm 19:10-11

Then David looked inward and saw his sinful heart. He begged the God of Creation to cleanse him of his sins and to keep him from deliberate sins. His prayer was that sin would not control him. I love the heart of his prayer:

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:14

In Psalm 22, David is crying out to God in the midst of his fiery trial. We can probably all relate at one time or another to the emotions expressed in this Psalm.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief. – Psalm 22:1-2

I can just hear Peter saying – “…don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something stranger were happening to you. Instead, be very glad…” (1 Peter 4:12). David would have agreed, for in the same Psalm he declared that he WOULD proclaim God’s name and that he WOULD praise the Lord and honor Him.

Another connection I see between David and Peter is their reference to God as a Shepherd. Peter refers to Him as the Great Shepherd and David wrote one of the most popular Psalms declaring how the Lord was His Shepherd and would guide him and walk with him, even through the darkest valleys. Or, as Peter would say, fiery trials.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths, bring honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23

Thank you for joining me over a cup of my morning coffee this week. I pray there were some who were encouraged by Peter’s letter and by David’s song. As we end the week, I’d like to pray David’s words from Psalm 20 for you.

In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.
May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
May he send you help from his sanctuary
and strengthen you from Jerusalem.
May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
May the Lord answer all your prayers.

Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.
He will answer him from his holy heaven and rescue him by his great power.
Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.
Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.
Give victory to our king, O Lord!
Answer our cry for help.