Psalm 28

Psalm 28

Jennifer Lewis

December 28, 2015

1 To you, O Lord, I call;
my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.

2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary.

3 Do not drag me off with the wicked,
with the workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors
while evil is in their hearts.

4 Give to them according to their work
and according to the evil of their deeds;
give to them according to the work of their hands;
render them their due reward.

5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more.

6 Blessed be the Lord!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.

8 The Lord is the strength of his people;
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Notice how the psalmist seeks God with upraised hands. When was the last time I came before the Lord, seeking Him with my hands outstretched?

His ways are above me. His thoughts too lofty for me to attain. Yet I go about my day occasionally shooting up a prayer in my mind -- not with reverence but out of entitlement.

The simple act of kneeling before God and lifting our hands to Him acknowledges His authority over us.

One thing I adore about the book of Psalms is the awe with which each chapter is written. David and the other psalmist clearly went through immense struggles, yet every psalm lifts God up how He should be-- clearly stating His sovereignty over us AND His unfailing love and mercy. Even though they may not feel God's goodness in that moment, they still give Him glory. They remember precious moments where God brought triumph, comfort, and wisdom. They look to the future knowing God's faithfulness. This is how I want to regard the Lord. Always giving Him glory regardless of the present moment.

Lord, we come before You to bear witness to Your greatness. Your majesty brings us to our knees. So here, with our hands outstretched, we thank You. Thank You for how You have shown Your love for us in the past and for Your faithfulness to continue pursuing us in the future. Please forgive us for getting "caught up" in ourselves. We want this moment and every one following to be filled with the hope and faith You restore to us through Your love. "Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever." (Psalm 28:9) We love you. In Jesus' Great Name we pray,
Amen.