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August 2, 2019
The word Sabbath means to cease. So as Dr. Brooks is away on sabbatical, we will be using his original devotionals from 2009 on the book of Psalms. He will resume The Bible Project devotionals upon his return. Thank you for reading with us and praying for him as he replenishes his soul for the next seven years of ministry.
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Psalm 59
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
2 Deliver me from evildoers
and save me from those who are after my blood.
3 See how they lie in wait for me!
Fierce men conspire against me
for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.
4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.
Arise to help me; look on my plight!
5 You, Lord God Almighty,
you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
show no mercy to wicked traitors.
6 They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths—
the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
and they think, “Who can hear us?”
8 But you laugh at them, Lord;
you scoff at all those nations.
9 You are my strength, I watch for you;
you, God, are my fortress,
10 my God on whom I can rely.
God will go before me
and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield,
or my people will forget.
In your might uproot them
and bring them down.
12 For the sins of their mouths,
for the words of their lips,
let them be caught in their pride.
For the curses and lies they utter,
13 consume them in your wrath,
consume them till they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
that God rules over Jacob.
14 They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.
15 They wander about for food
and howl if not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.
New International Version (NIV)
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Few things get my undivided attention as quickly as a snarling dog. Growing up, I often accompanied my dad, Jake, the mechanic on Saturday mornings to junk yards. I felt a bit like Lamont, the television character son of Sanford, a character played by Red Foxx. If my fearless father was anything, he was focused. Somewhere in that maze of discarded automobiles lay the perfect distributor cap for a Ford LTD. All we had to do was find it. Never mind the Doberman Pinschers which looked remarkably like the bank robbers of movie fame, or the German Shepherds which displayed a ferocity far beyond the imagination of our Bassett Hound Sir George Brooks. I, on the other hand, was terrified of dogs. This fear began when the dog in the German village of Schrollbach chased me home as I rode my Western Flyer from the house of the Chartiers, the other Americans in town. Though I was not fearless like my father, knowing he was there helped.
David portrays his enemies in memorable language: in verses 6 and 14 we read, “They return at evening snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied.” These enemies lie in wait for him though he has done them no wrong. David speaks specifically of Saul’s men who have come to watch his house in order to kill him. This is no way for a father in law to treat his son in law.
God laughs last. Listen to David’s praise lifted to his protector. While the enemies watch for David, David watches for God. “O my strength, I watch for you, O God are my fortress, my loving Lord.” Again in verse 16 we hear David’s confidence in God, “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” Finally, David personalizes it, “O my strength, I sing praise to you; you O God are my fortress, my loving God.”
Martin Luther captures the same sentiment with these words of a great hymn, “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing . . .” Even if we are afraid of snarling dogs and frightening foes, it helps to know that our Father is not.
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| This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan. Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download
the app at readscripture.org. Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully,
Duane
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