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July 31, 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 57
1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.
4 I am in the midst of lions;
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
6 They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.
7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
New International Version (NIV)
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How would you like to live in a cave? The Sleeper family in Festus, Missouri bought a cave and turned it into their home. They were about to lose it to foreclosure, so they placed it on eBay. The home, built in an old mining cave has three chambers including a three bedroom house, a laundry room complete with natural spring and fourteen waterfalls when it rains, and an old concert room still echoing with the voices of rock singers like Ted Nugent who once performed there.
David also lived in a cave, but not by choice. When Saul, the King of Israel pursued him, he had to hide somewhere. Resounding in the caverns of Israel are the ancient echoes of a man who trusted God. David was a refugee who found refuge in the God who was with him even in the caves. “For in you, my soul takes refuge . . .” Even in the cave, God is fulfilling his purpose, sending from heaven and saving his own. Our sending God also sends his love and faithfulness.
Like Daniel who found himself in the midst of lions, David notes that the teeth and tongues of humankind can also be sharp as spears, arrows and swords. From the depths he cries, “Be exalted O God above the heavens, let your glory be over all the earth.”
Truly, David can not control what others do to him. On the other hand, neither can they stop his song. His soul awakens and he determines to awaken the dawn with the music of worship to his God. Until he can worship corporately again, David lifts his praise individually, “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”
Even when we are exhausted, our God is exalted above all else. So let us sing from our caves, until he delivers us into the light.
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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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