Devotional study
- Dawn Ferguson
- Jan 14, 2024
- 4 min read
Isaiah 12:2
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Psalm 61:2-4
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust [1] in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 61:2-4
Commentary on Psalm 61:1-4
(Read Psalm 61:1-4)
David begins with prayers and tears, but ends with praise. Thus the soul, being lifted up to God, returns to the enjoyment of itself. Wherever we are, we have liberty to draw near to God, and may find a way open to the throne of grace. And that which separates us from other comforts, should drive us nearer to God, the fountain of all comfort. Though the heart is overwhelmed, yet it may be lifted up to God in prayer. Nay, I will cry unto thee, for by that means it will be supported and relieved. Weeping must quicken praying, and not deaden it. God's power and promise are a rock that is higher than we are. This rock is Christ. On the Divine mercy, as on a rock, David desired to rest his soul; but he was like a ship-wrecked sailor, exposed to the billows at the bottom of a rock too high for him to climb without help. David found that he could not be fixed on the Rock of salvation, unless the Lord placed him upon it. As there is safety in Him, and none in ourselves, let us pray to be led to and fixed upon Christ our Rock. The service of God shall be his constant work and business: all must make it so who expect to find God their shelter and strong tower. The grace of God shall be his constant comfort.
Matthew 6:34
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Those struggling with addiction, while in recovery, often cling to a set of guiding statements as they work to stay sober. A common mantra used in those situations is "one day at a time." There's no value in that person worrying about whether they will fall to temptation tomorrow. Their addiction must be fought today. Tomorrow's fight will happen tomorrow. In overcoming addiction effectively, such people are taught to focus on winning today's battles.
This is compatible with the principles found in this command from Jesus. He tells His followers not to worry about tomorrow. As He has already said, worry doesn't fix anything. Anxiety over things we cannot control, or out of our reach, makes no sense (Matthew 6:27). God loves us and already knows not only what He wants to accomplish, but what we need to make that happen (Matthew 6:33).
Jesus says, in short, that born-again believers ought to let tomorrow worry about itself. He's not saying Christians cannot or should not make wise plans. Nor is He saying believers ought to literally ignore anything but the most immediate questions. His context here is about the emotions of fear and anxiety. Those who trust in God shouldn't allow wallow in useless worry over the future. Tomorrow's fight will happen tomorrow. The battle to trust God is always happening in the current moment. Today has plenty of trouble with which we need to trust God. Jesus commands His followers to focus on trust for God in a moment-by-moment way. We shouldn't try to solve all our problems, for all time, all at once. Let God provide what is needed day by day.
2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Paul has been referencing Exodus 34, which describes how the skin of Moses' face would shine after meeting with God. Moses' face so powerfully reflected God's glory that he covered it with a veil to protect the Israelites from even the reflection of God's presence with them. Their sin had caused their minds to be hardened. In that condition, God's glory was unbearable to them.
Paul has described the only way for this separation between sinful humans and God's glory to be removed. It is not through study or attempts at obedience or even through religiously following the law. God removes this "veil" between Himself and people only when they come to Him through faith in Christ. Only in Christ is sin forgiven once and for all. Only then does God's Holy Spirit act to remove the veil of hardness and allow those in Christ to see God's glory as He has revealed it in Jesus.
Now Paul shows that this moment of spiritual revelation is followed by spiritual transformation. With the veil gone, all those in Christ have unveiled faces, boldly looking at Christ, who is the glory of God. We can now see Him for who and what He is. This act of seeing, of understanding, the nature of Christ begins the process through which God transforms His children into the image of Christ.
Paul writes that this change happens from "one degree of glory to another" or "from glory to glory" in the Greek language. It is a remarkable promise. Not only are those in Christ finally freed to see God's glory, but they begin to become God's glory as they begin to become like Christ. This is not something we accomplish for ourselves through study or discipline or self-will. Paul insists that it is the Spirit of God who makes this happen in all of those who are in Christ Jesus. Seeing the glory of God in Christ initiates what some scholars call "progressive sanctification," meaning that we will become more and more like Him as we are changed by the Spirit over time.
Gracious to read the devotional message tonight, stepping in faith not comfort is growth towards your plan, purposes, and I can stand solid and full in your Promise to guide me in the way I am to go...for such a time as this.
Amen
Blessings &Light
BlueEyedGirl 💙
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