Psalm 60 – Where is God?
(Written by Tan Yu Chai)
Psalm 60 – Where is God? A Meditation.
Afflictions (verses 1-3)
There are times we felt that God does not hear our prayers, He does not see the problems we are going through, and He does not seem to respond at all. More so if the crisis we face, is not just us as individuals, but a national crisis.
This was what David felt when he penned Psalm 60, in verse 1: “You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us; you have been angry—now restore us!”
David was facing a near defeat battle with Arameans until Joab returned and won the battle.
David as the anointed king over Israel, knew that any military defeat means that God does not go out with Israel anymore.
Where is God? In fact, David reckoned that God has rejected Israel, angry with them till they were giddy and could not see their future, hence in verse 3 you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
Isn’t that how we felt when we are in tremendous distresses of life? We felt that the very ground we stand upon, is shaking and we are like drunkard, groping our ways to certainty. Where is God? David cried out in his distress.
Supplications (verses 4-8)
Yet, David prayed by recalling that God has raised a banner of victory and would deliver those who fear Him and those God loves. V4-5.
God has spoken verses 6-8 and this is enough and in fact more than enough as a response to David’s supplications. God assured David by God’s proclamation that the land of Israel was His special possession. The specific mentions of Shechem, of the Valley of Succoth, of Gilead, of Manasseh, of Ephraim, and of Judah show that God did not speak symbolically, but geographically. Though He is Lord over all the earth, He has a special care and love for the land of Israel.
God is not just a transcendent God, He is at the same time an immanent God. He knows every details, every moment and every incidents of your life and my life. How wonderful that when we pray, our prayer rises above the ceiling of our room, the roof of our house and every heartfelt prayer reaches the very Presence of God.
Affirmations (verses 9-12)
David asked “Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?”
The answer is the very God, who rejected Israel and who no longer go out with Israel armies?
When you are faced with hope against all hopes, when you feel that everything is melting and there is no hope inside. Turn to God, our Father. Turn to Jesus, our Saviour, Turn to the Holy Spirit, our Comforter.
God is Sovereign and ultimately in control of everything.
He will not abandon us forever because He loves us. Because He is faithful.
Let’s Read Psalm 60
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
1 You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us;
you have been angry—now restore us!
2 You have shaken the land and torn it open;
mend its fractures, for it is quaking.
3 You have shown your people desperate times;
you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner
to be unfurled against the bow.
5 Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
6 God has spoken from his sanctuary:
“In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.
7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet,
Judah is my scepter.
8 Moab is my washbasin,
on Edom I toss my sandal;
over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
9 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
and no longer go out with our armies?
11 Give us aid against the enemy,
for human help is worthless.
12 With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies.
Let’s Pray,
Heavenly Father, we thank You that we can be sure that You love us, through the demonstration of Your love for us in that while we are still sinners, Christ died for us. And because You love us, You are faithful even though often time, we are faithless (2 Tim 2:13).
Help us, Father in our afflictions and pains. Help us to look to You and You alone as our Deliverer, our Defender and our Sustainer. Give us strength for today for you we want to worship and glorify – one day at a time. AMEN.
This devotional was kindly contributed by Dr. Chow Li Sze and her channel Heavenly Devotion. You may find the channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/HeavenlyDevotion/videos
About the Heavenly Devotion channel
The Heavenly Devotion channel is dedicated to encouraging you to listen to Bible Scriptures and pray with the Scriptures. They are inspired by the call of service as expressed and exemplified by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:12-15.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrew 4:12 NKJV)
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