It’s a rainy morning here in Houston. As much as a part of me wants to sleep, another part of me is enjoying the stillness of the house and the pattering of the rain. I woke to my brain racing and could not turn it off. And since my arrangement with the Big Dude is that I will not get to work until my devo is done, here we are.
I have been mulling over some disappointment lately. Nothing totally dragging me down, but something that has had me puzzled. And then today’s reading happened. It amazes me how He always knows what I need to hear in these daily readings.
Here’s what I heard in Psalm 58 when I applied SOAP:
Scripture: Psalm 58: 11
Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
surely there is a God who judges on earth.”
Observation:
This Psalm is all about frustration over those who do wrong. David wants those who are wicked not to enjoy success and wants them to have to pay for their wrongs. He wants all to see that those who are evil will have to pay and those that follow God will be rewarded.
Application:
David is mad. This Psalm is pretty hefty against those who are doing evil. I’m not one who wishes destruction on anyone else, but I’m not leading anyone into battle and having my life threatened as David did.
I do, however, get frustrated when I see people treat others poorly and I do get puzzled when I see that happen to me. Right now I’m working through a few things where I am disappointed in the inaction and lack of support from a few whom I thought had my back but don’t seem to be right now. I don’t wish them ill, as that is certainly not my nature. I hope I just don’t see the whole picture, that I am misunderstanding what is going on, as I’m hurt and confused and don’t want to be.
I can’t waste time or effort being mad or hurt. I don’t want their teeth broken as David suggests earlier in the Psalm. Instead I’ll cling to the last verse in the Psalm and know that He is in charge. All will be judged as should be. If that means this irritation washes out, then it will. But wasting time and effort being frustrated isn’t going to do anyone any good. I need to move on. Move up. Do what I can and release the rest. He is in charge and He knows what is going on.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for reminding me that you are in charge. Thank you for showing me that you hear all of my cries to you: the ones of joy, the ones asking for help and the ones where I am puzzled and hurt. Show me my next steps. Help me to move beyond this situation. Keep me from dwelling on frustration and hurt and instead let’s move forward with all the good and growth you have in store.
I love how you let me address this with you, reminded me you’ll handle it and that it is NOT up to me to judge and how, now, I already am starting to feel better.
Thank you. I love you.
I’m ready to move on with you as my guide.
Amen.
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