S) "7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!"
Psalm 57:7 (NASB)
O) David wrote this while he was on the run from Saul, being hotly pursued, and he took refuge in a cave. Saul's men had stopped nearby, and Saul went into the cave to relieve himself. David could have easily killed his mortal enemy, but it was not his prerogative to do so. After realizing David's integrity in the matter, Saul went home. It was not their last encounter like this. Reading this whole psalm, it would seem that David was quite distraught, from being pursued and probably right up until the point that he realized Saul was entering that cave alone. Had any amount of soldiers come with him, no doubt David and his men would have been trapped with no escape. While David was expressing such angst, in vv.1-6, he also had his heart set on the goodness of God. He made the default position of his heart to be one of steadfast trust in who God is. God promised to protect him, so he took hold of those promises and chose to sing God's praises, instead of giving way to his fears and doubts.
A) While God has made no promises about my earthly reign upon a throne, I do have promises that He is surely faithful to deliver. I am promised eternal life. I am promised fellowship with my Redeemer. I am promised perfect restoration in the resurrection. I am promised peace. I am promised that my daily needs will be met. These promises (and others) are given to me in Christ, because of God's grace, in the New Covenant.
(Note, these promises are conditional in different ways, but they are promises nonetheless)
If I am setting my mind on these promises, and on the faithfulness of God, then no trouble that ever comes my way will be enough to shake my faith. My heart will be steadfast within me, as I sing praises to my Lord.
P) Father, whatever comes my way, whatever my circumstances, I want to be steadfast in my praising You. I am determining now, to set my heart on worshiping You, no matter how close I come to calamity. No matter how scary things might look, I know You still hold my life in Your hands. You are sovereign over my life, and so I will rest and trust in Your plan. You are faithful to Your promises, and I know that the promises You have made to me are eternal. Help me to keep an eternal perspective, then, Father. My heart is steadfast as I sing your praises. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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