Psalms 71
In this Psalm, David begins by proclaiming the Lord to be his safe place.
71:2 | “In your righteousness you deliver me, and rescue me.” God’s righteousness is his faithfulness to keep his promises. God is completely just, faithful, and holy. This is God’ righteousness, not our own. Our ideas of righteousness are limited, and our understanding of God’s ways will always be limited because He is all knowing. He knows the details that we do not know, and he takes everything into full account.
David continues to praise the Lord, and planned to do so with increased praise (vv. 14 and 21 ): “You will increase my greatness, and comfort me again.”
Why not just one time??? David knows that he will need continued comfort in his life. This is not a “one and done” scenario. David was planning for the unknown, but putting his hope in the One who knows it all.
Throughout this entire Psalm, David was running to God for help with his enemies. He was coming to God about the antagonists in his life. David was coming to God with a petition to not be made a fool of, for trusting the Lord. David wanted the Lord’s truth and promises to come to pass, but not so he could win the fight. David asked to live into a time of old age, so that he could proclaim the goodness of God to another generation.
This is not a selfish desire, but a desire to brag on how good God is/was. David wanted to proclaim so others would know the truth. His heart revolved around seeing the Lord exalted, and he made specific requests for things that would bless him, and more importantly God.
Psalms 72
Psalm 72 is believed to be written by Solomon, David’s son.
This Psalm reads like a beautiful blessing to me, because Solomon asks for very good things for the King. Solomon asks that the King have the Lord’s justice. Solomon asks that the King not only defends the poor but bring justice because of his power to do so. This implies they have been done an injustice. This Psalm asks that the King crush the oppressor of the needy, which would mean that the King cares for those who were/are often the least concern of society. Just like our God, the creator does. I notice Solomon does not ask that the poor get themselves together or stop making excuses. No, he asks that the King have victory in matters that concern God’s vulnerable people.
This Psalm is asking God to provide for the land, that there be an abundance. This is not a selfish request, but a request to see God’s provision. This is a request that the Lord use the King according to the Lord’s purposes, to see the disenfranchised, and serve the nation. Solomon asks that people would pray for the King continuously.
The Psalm concludes with blessings professed to the Lord, and giving Honor to the Lord, for He Alone does wondrous things (verse 19). In this Psalm, there were many things requested, and each of them was good. The heart of the author is that the Lord be exalted.
Deuteronomy 1
Deuteronomy begins with Moses speaking to the new generation of Israelites that will enter the promised land. Moses was teaching them that they need to listen to his directions, because their disobedience kept them out of the promised land for 40 years. The new generation needed to be aware and accountable for the sins that got them in this situation.
Verses 19-33 | Moses reminds the Israelites that they were instructed to go for what God had given them, but their fear led them to disobedience. I think this is important, because although the emotion of fear is real, we are still responsible with how we handle fear. Just like the Israelites, I have seen God provide, protect and guide me—yet have been fearful after being saved from things.
For the Israelites, there were a lot of people following what they could physically see, and doing what they thought was best while fitting God into their plan versus following God's plan completely. Because of their disobedience, they had to sit with the Lord not listening to them when they were ready to say something.
Deuteronomy 2
Deuteronomy is an account of how the Israelites traveled, and God handling their every need. God gave them instructions on who to trade with, where to go, and also how to behave. Specifically: not engage in any type of combat, because they were not to inherit the different places that God had promised to others already (vv.1-25). I think this is important because what God wants to bless us with is intended for us. His promises to someone else are not an unfaithfulness to us, but a provision for all that He cares for. It’s also significant that God continued to provide for the Israelites, even though they disobeyed. He still had a plan and a promise for them.
2:26-37 | This is an account of God then giving the land of Sihon to the Israelites through a battle with the King of Hesbon. We can see that God gave the Israelites guidance at every turn. He told them who their enemies were and were not. God told them when to be cool, and when to fight the battle. God didn’t just leave them to figure it out; he still had guidance for the Israelites. He maintained that he had a plan for them.
Deuteronomy 3
3:1-20 | We see that the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the King Og. They took possession of the Land, and Moses divided it for the Reubenites and the Gadities.
3:21-22 | The Israelites are told that the Lord will handle the next Kingdoms they encounter as he has done with the last two Kingdoms. A promise and command: “You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.”
3:23-29 | Moses asked the Lord to allow him to see the promised land. Moses was experiencing a growing awe of the Lord, as the Lord revealed himself over time to the people. Of course, Moses, would ask to see the promised land. The Bible says he pleaded with God, and God said, “No.” Instead, Moses was to charge Joshua, because Joshua would be the new leader. God still wanted to use Moses, but Moses would miss out on the blessing of the promised land. Moses’s work wasn’t done, but his assignment was to help prepare the new leader, and the new generation for what God had in store for them.
There is a lot to take away from this, but what I want to focus on is that God’s promise remains the same. His faithfulness is the same, even though we are disobedient and unfaithful in our own ways. The Lord sees this and knows how to judge you—the same way he knew what was appropriate for Moses. Our submission to what God says, cannot be dependent on what we see, or how we think things will go. When we are given clear direction from the Lord, we must obey him.
Dawn Robinson
