His name is the Lord

When we think of David, many stories and events from the Old Testament evolve in our minds. He was a man with great talent and determination, a simple shepherd of sheep who became a leader of people.  He is described as a man after God's own heart, yet we also know David as a sinner and a murderer. 

Many of the psalms are attributed to David and in them we get a glimpse of the things which motivated him during his life of ups and downs.  He writes from a heart that is heavy as he feels the weight of his sins.  He writes prayers expressing remorse and seeking restoration.  The greatest of his psalms for me are those which show me a man who recognizes the power  God, the righteousness of God, and the unfailing love of God.  These are the psalms which always express David's heart of praising the Father.

From Psalms 68:1-6,

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;
    may his foes flee before him.
² May you blow them away like smoke—
    as wax melts before the fire,
    may the wicked perish before God.
³ But may the righteous be glad
    and rejoice before God;
    may they be happy and joyful.

⁴ Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
    extol him who rides on the clouds;
    rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
⁵ A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
    is God in his holy dwelling.
⁶ God sets the lonely in families,
    he leads out the prisoners with singing;
    but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

The psalms begins with David's plea for God to deal with those who oppose him, those who are God's enemies, and those who are wicked.  In verse 3, the tone changes to give us the picture of joy in the lives of the righteous.  Let's not forget, David is praising the God which you serve; the God which works in your life and mine.

David exhorts us to sing to God.  Do you ever catch yourself humming and then singing some praise song while you are driving or tending to some chore?  Perhaps you should.  We serve a God who is known not only by his power, but also his qualities of being our Father, loving and defending widows, setting the lonely in families, and leading prisoners to freedom.  To this I will add, he is the God who longs for you to be his child.

Like David, our ups and downs will come.  There may be times of distress and pain.  We may be without direction or reason.  David's answer is to praise God and to rejoice in him.  "His name is the Lord."

<ronbwriting@gmail.com>