Sunday, April 17, 2005

When God Delivers His People

Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners,
  Whose mouth speaks lying words,
  And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood —
(Psalm 144:11)
David is the psalm writer here. In this prayer, he is not just asking for himself. He is king, and he is seeking deliverance for the sake of his people. Deliverance from “foreigners,” people who do not know the God of Israel. They are the enemies of His people. So the promises that follow are not just for David or a few select individuals. They are for all God's people.
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth
  That our daughters may be as pillars,
  Sculptured in palace style.
(Psalm 144:12)
When God brings deliverance to His people, they also receive promise for their children. The prophet Isaiah echoes this in Isaiah 54.13, “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace [shalom, the peace that comes from being made whole] of your children.”
That our barns may be full,
  Supplying all kinds of produce;
That our sheep may bring forth thousands
  And ten thousands in our fields
That our oxen may be well laden
(Psalm 144:13-14)
When God brings deliverance to His people, they have provision of every kind. Their barns are full and their goods are multiplied. This is reminiscent of the covenant blessings found in Deuteronomy, “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers” (Deut. 8.17).
That there be no breaking in or going out;
That there be no outcry in our streets.
(Psalm 144:14)
When God brings deliverance to His people, He blesses them with security. There is no fear, for the LORD is their God.
Happy are the people who are in such a state;
Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!
(Psalm 144:15)
These blessings are for all the people of God. None are left out. When God delivers His people, anyone who knows the LORD may claim these promises, and they will not be denied. If people of old covenant were thus blessed, think how much more people of the new covenant are blessed.

The good news of the Gospel is that, in Jesus Christ, God has delivered us from everything that keeps us from Him and the life He desires for us. Nothing now stands in the way, except for unbelief.

Psalm 144 is good “praying ground,” because it expresses the will of God for His delivered people. First John 5:14-15 gives us the assurance that when we pray according to God's will, He hears us, and we will have our prayers answered.

Let the words of this psalm fill your mouth in prayer. Let them be on your lips in praise. Let faith rise up in your heart as you meditate on these promises from God's Word. Then begin watching for the answer to emerge.

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