GOD OF OUR PAST AND FUTURE
OPENING PRAYER:
Gentle Shepherd, banish despair from my life and speak to me about hopeful and hope-filled living.
A song of ascents.
Lord, remember David
and all his self-denial.
He swore an oath to the Lord,
he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
“I will not enter my house
or go to my bed,
I will allow no sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
till I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
We heard it in Ephrathah,
we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:
“Let us go to his dwelling place,
let us worship at his footstool, saying,
‘Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
May your priests be clothed with your righteousness;
may your faithful people sing for joy.’”
For the sake of your servant David,
do not reject your anointed one.
The Lord swore an oath to David,
a sure oath he will not revoke:
“One of your own descendants
I will place on your throne.
If your sons keep my covenant
and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons will sit
on your throne for ever and ever.”
For the Lord has chosen Zion,
he has desired it for his dwelling, saying,
“This is my resting place for ever and ever;
here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.
I will bless her with abundant provisions;
her poor I will satisfy with food.
I will clothe her priests with salvation,
and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.
“Here I will make a horn[b] grow for David
and set up a lamp for my anointed one.
I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”
REFLECT:
Think about ways in which God has been faithful to you, and kept his promises, in the past. ‘Thank you, Father God, for all you have done for me, and for your faithfulness to me in the past. Amen.’
As we might do as we reflect on what God has done for us in the past, the psalmist here is looking back (vs 1–12), reflecting on the ark (built in Exodus 25:10–22) and God’s covenant with David and his people (see 2 Samuel 7:4–16).
Reflecting on the past, and how God worked in and through his people, enables the psalmist to look forward to the fulfillment of all of God’s promises in the future (vs 13–18). Did you do any reflecting on 2021, and set any hopes for 2022? What encouragement does this psalm give you?
God’s heart is for Zion, his people (v 13) – the family we have been following in our Exodus readings. Verses 10 and 17 talk about the ‘anointed one’ who will have a shining crown. Is this not ultimately Jesus, our Lord and King, where we will find a safe, secure resting place for ever (v 14), full of abundant blessing and joy (vs 15, 16)?
APPLY:
Ponder these words or sing this hymn: ‘High King of heaven, my victory won, / May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun! / Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, / Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.’
CLOSING PRAYER:
Almighty God, life can seem overwhelming at times and I can become easily discouraged. Give me a fresh vision of Your faithfulness and power, so my trust in You will be renewed.
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