Trusting in Trouble (Psalm 89)
Read 📖
Today’s reading is Psalm 89
“Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David?”
Psalm 89:49 (ESV)
Reflect ❤️
The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7) is a great moment in Israel’s history. The covenant is made during a time of peace and prosperity in the land, primarily brought about through their godly King, David. And what is more, through the covenant, God gives a wonderful promise that the descendants of this David will be established as Kings forever, and that through them God's steadfast love will never leave his people.
Fast forward a few generations to Psalm 89. God is still being praised for his steadfast love and faithfulness. And centre of the psalm (vv 19-37) we see clear echoes of the 2 Samuel 7 covenant. But what’s striking is the final part of the Psalm.
The backdrop of Psalm 89 is not one of peace but of confusion and instability. This Psalm was written when the crown of David was in the dust and strongholds were in ruins. When it looked like God had turned his back on the promise he made.
But the Psalmist doesn’t despair. His confidence comes from who God is, that he is righteous and just, that his steadfast love and faithfulness go before him. And so he continues to call out in prayer as a son to his Father, trusting he will not break his promise.
Pray 🙏
Are we affected by how things appear, does our confidence in the goodness of God drop off when circumstances don’t show many signs of it? Do we find it easy to persist in prayer for these things? Let’s return as the Psalmist does, to our foundation, God's steadfast love.
And where is that seen more clearly than in Christ? After centuries of disobedience and idolatry leading to suffering and exile, it would have been easy to believe God had given up. But he was not done with his people or his promises. Christ is the great answer to this Psalm, and he is our great hope too, especially when times are troubling.
Father God, we thank you for your steadfast love. Forgive us when we doubt your goodness. Help us to know that you are the faithful one, our true foundation. Point us to Christ again. Amen