Today’s Psalm marks the end of the first of the 5 major sections of this incredible book.  I am convinced that a life-long study of the book of Psalms will not be enough to mine the depths of richness and truth that it contains. For today, however, we will reflect on the faithfulness of God through the ups and downs of life.

The overall sense I get from reading this Psalm is a total confidence in God for blessing throughout our life.  The Psalm begins with the same phrase as Psalm 1:

Ps 1: ‘Blessed is the man…..’, Ps 41: ‘Blessed is he…..’Again my NKJV study bible comments here that ‘when the word ‘blessed’ is used with God as its object, it serves as a word of praise.  To bless God is to identify Him as the source of our blessings.

What an incredible though that I can bless God! Verses 1-3 assure us that God will deliver us in times of distress; that He will sustain our lives; that He will protect us from our enemies; and strengthen us in times of illness.

Then the Psalm acknowledges the issue of sin and for me, the issue of persecution for our faith from both our enemies and our so called ‘friends’ (v9).

1 John 1:8 ‘If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; He’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. (MSG).In verses 10-12 David recognises that the failure of his enemies to destroy him, is proof of God’s blessing in his life:

‘As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And set me before Your face forever’ (v10).

1 Timothy 2: 1-6 -

‘I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time’.

Because Jesus stands before God the father as our mediator, God can NEVER EVER forget us!

***

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting.Amen and Amen.