You do what is right! (12 March)

This morning I have been thinking and praying as I meditate on the words of Psalm 71. I have been studying materials to prepare myself to help PNG with conflict mediation and peacemaking. One of the pre-requisites for my mediation course is to take 2 courses from Ken Sande titled Relational Wisdom 360 and Relational Peacemaking. Both these courses have been excellent. I would encourage any of you to take them. (https://www.rw-academy.org/)

One of the tools Ken uses to help us be wise relationally is called the SOG plan. To be relationally wise, we need to always be thinking about how the situation not only affects us (self) but also how it is affecting Others. But then ultimately, where does our father come into it? (G) After studying that, I am starting to see these principles throughout scripture, as I have been reading. So, here’s what I saw from Psalm 71 this morning.

Psalm 71:1-2 O Lord, I have come to you for protection. Don’t let me be disgraced. Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right.

In these words, David is saying that he thinks that he knows what’s right. He thinks that he knows the right thing for the Father to do at that moment is to save and rescue him, to be his protection and to keep him from being disgraced. But is that what the Father thinks is the right path? Is that what He thinks is the right thing to do? (What is the Father’s thinking? (G – from the SOG plan) As I thought about that, a few verses come to mind.

1 Peter 1:6-7 reminds us, Be truly glad. There’s wonderful joy ahead. Even though right now you must endure many trials of various kinds, these trials prove your faith is genuine.

So is relief from trials, relief from persecution, what’s right in our Father’s eyes? But this was what David prayed. He believed that what the Father does is always right. But he also had in mind what he thought that was.

Psalm 25:10, David said, all the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness. This was the foundation, a core belief of David.

Let’s go on. Psalm 71:3 Be my rock of safety, where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

David said things like this before.

• Psalm 61:3, you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies can’t reach me.
• Psalm 62:2, he alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.

This was the foundation of David’s faith, the belief that our Father is good. Psalm 70:4, David said, “Let’s always shout/declare that our Father is great.” “All his paths are loving and faithful… he always loves and is faithful. Therefore, the Father is able to give the order to save and rescue me (Ps 71:3).

But did the Father do that? Did he immediately send out the order to rescue David? I don’t believe he did. Therefore I think we can conclude that David believed that even if he doesn’t, the path he is on is still good, because he knows his Father loves Him. How do I conclude that? Let’s move on.

Psalm 71:5-8, David retreats to his refuge, that fortress where his enemies can’t reach him. He brings the Father into his thinking.

• Psalm 71:5, you alone are my hope. I have trusted you from childhood.
• Psalm 71:6, you have been with me from birth. You cared for me even in my mother’s wounds. No wonder I can’t stop praising you.
• Psalm 71:7, my life is an example to many because you have been my strength and protection.
• Psalm 71:8, this is why I never stop praising you. I declare your glory all day long.

Here we have David going to his fortress once again. David recounts the Father’s unfailing love and his faithfulness in the past. David is practicing God- Aware, as Ken Sande says. So no matter what the outcome of the circumstance, David still runs to his high tower, to his fortress. That’s where he finds comfort and peace.

May we grow in our ability to run to the fortress of our Father’s love and faithfulness. This doesn’t mean we stop praying. But, that prayer is more a means to cause us to seek our Father, draw near to Him, and remind ourselves of his love and faithfulness than asking for him to do things for us.

Praying for you today that you will bring Him into every situation you face today.