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May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” (Psalm 70:4b, ESV).
After reading the above verse, read carefully this verse from another Psalm. . .
May those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” (Psalm 40:16).
Psalm 70 and Psalm 40:13-17 read the same. My question: When reading these Psalms, why does Psalm 70 copy Psalm 40:13-17? What important lesson — so important to learn — must be repeated?
The answer: God is great!
Considering the greatness of God, Bill Johnson writes in his book God is Good. . .
I’ve heard people say they don’t believe in God anymore after experiencing a disappointment or tragic loss of some sort. I don’t mean to treat their situation with disregard, but you can’t turn a consciousness of God on and off like that. You may be mad at God. You may accuse Him and refuse to serve Him. But you can’t decide He no longer exists.
In Psalms 70 and 40, we find extreme difficulty, and instead of turning against God with disappointment in His lack of intervention, these Psalms — in spite of the seeming abandonment of God — continue to praise the greatness of God.
Let’s consider for a moment, what we do or believe when we experience the following. . .
Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me! (v. 1)
Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! (v. 2a)
I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay! (v. 5)
When we experience financial loss, friends turning against us, perhaps illness, political catastrophe, shame for our inadequacies, and difficulties overcoming sin, is this our solution?
May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” (v. 4)
Into our relationship with God, we bring expectations. We believe in a great God who answers prayers, but when He doesn’t answer our prayer, and then we hear of Him answering another person’s prayer, frustration and doubt can creep into our souls.
Our expectations must be balanced with a trust in God’s timing, wisdom, and constant consideration of an eternal perspective that only He knows. And that’s the undergirding lesson we all face in proclaiming the greatness of God. . .
Trust!
God exists and works according to His purposes. If we disagree with His decisions, our disbelief doesn’t negate His existence, but it does ruin our faith for ultimate victory.
Trust!
As the only prerequisite for eternal hope, trials build faith, and as the Apostle Paul writes. . .
We also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:3-5, NASB).
Or as Psalm 70 says. . .
I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay! (v. 5, ESV)
Let’s trust in God. His help is coming. Do not be dismayed. God is great!
Amen. Peace out!