David used oil and butter as similes to describe the smoothness and softness of the speech of his former friend. Those soft words were swords. The former friend betrayed him, and sought his destruction. He now casts that burden on the LORD, and trusts that the LORD will sustain him in the battle. Whatever we face, we can cast our anxieties on the LORD, because he cares for us.
LORD, here are our troubles. Please take them. They are too heavy for us.
Ahaz was so determined to reject the LORD that when things got worse for him and his kingdom, he became yet more faithless. He had reasoned that the victors in the battles of the day must have the stronger gods, so he appealed to those gods. He probably figured that he had already cut ties with the LORD, so he would get no help there. It was foolish to utterly turn from following God.
LORD, give us wisdom to turn to you. May we realize that you will not give up on us, even if we have rebelled against you.
David had thought that he was in a good hiding place – a place where he could stay alive and away from Saul. Then things got interesting. The Ziphites turned him in. Now David is forced to rely completely on God as he had done before. His song is his declaration that he is glad to do so. His real helper has always been the LORD. His God upholds his life.
LORD, in those times when our plan A fails, help us to see that you are always there, and that you should have been our plan A all along.
Jotham spends ten of his 16 years as king with his father as a leper king, in his shadow. Those ten years were a constant reminder and warning for him not to presume upon his own authority, as his father did. Many have family that have made mistakes, and have had to face the consequences of those mistakes. The members of their family serve as warnings from God. Jotham heeded the warning that he saw looking at his father in his own shadow. He was faithful, and God made him mighty. But he did not enter the temple in any attempt to act as a priest, as his father had. His father was his lesson, and he learned it well.
LORD, help us to see the lessons you have given us within our own families.
The kind of atheism that the psalmist decries here is the practical (or impractical) atheism that outwardly admits God’s existence, but refuses to call on him when times get bad. The psalmist calls on his people to rejoice in the God who restores, to be glad in the process, before the restoration happens. Otherwise, God’s people will act like others, allowing corruption and evil to continue, and excusing it out of fear.
LORD, by faith we accept your rescue. We choose to believe in your existence and help.
One of the lessons Uzziah learned (the hard way) was that faithfulness to the LORD does not mean doing all that you can do. It means following the LORD within the limits of one’s own gifting and sphere of influence. Uzziah should never have presumed to take on the role of priest. The coming Messiah would have both kingly and priestly functions, but not a single king or priest. Since Uzziah grew strong, he dared give people the impression that he might be the chosen Messiah. The priests were right to withstand him, but it took a lot of courage to openly rebuke a strong king.
LORD, use us within the spheres of influence that you have ordained for us. Give us wisdom to know where we are called, and where we should not venture.
In spite of what the world – and, sometimes the church – tells us, evil is a temporary thing in God’s universe. The LORD has appointed a day in which he will judge and destroy all evil. That is why David asks the deceitful rich man a question: “Why do you boast of evil?” David knows that the one who conspires against him will eventually reap the consequences of that treachery. It is simply a matter of time. That is why David tells the LORD that he will wait for his name (9). God will prove himself faithful. He will uproot all evil from the land of the living.
LORD, we will wait for your name. We will wait for you to destroy all those who boast of evil. You are eternal, they are not.
The unnamed prophet asked Amaziah an obvious question: “Why have you sought the gods of the people who did not deliver their own people from your hand?” (15) Amaziah went from halfhearted devotion to God to absolute apostasy. Such is the slippery slope of halfhearted devotion. What is it that keeps you from being fully dedicated to the kingdom of God and his righteousness? Have you found some bright, shiny spoils along the way which are distracting you? Have they taken the place of your prayer life? Are they the first thing that comes to your mind when you are challenged to obey God? Destroy them, or they will destroy you!
LORD, give us the courage to destroy our bright shiny spoils.
This prayer by David has given exegetes some trouble. David is aware of his crimes against Uriah the Hittite, whom he has killed, and Bathsheba, with whom he commits adultery. He agonizes over his sins and fears the judgment that must come because of them. But he is primarily concerned that sin has caused a separation between him and his God. He pleads for mercy, cleansing, renewal and restoration. He realizes that the sacrifice of all the animals in the kingdom would be useless. He cannot atone for his mistakes. Only God can forgive. He also realizes that once forgiven, he will have the privilege of coming back into the temple to sacrifice out of a thankful heart, and back to the people to teach them God’s ways. It was all about his relationship with God – something this mighty king could not afford to lose.
LORD, when we stray from your way, help us to plead for your mercy and forgiveness. Make our relationship with you priority #1.
Joash appeared to be a great and faithful ruler, but once Jehoiada the priest dies, his true character is revealed, and his fate with it. While Jehoiada was alive, Joash concentrated on preserving and repairing God’s house, the temple, in Jerusalem. Afterward, he took his counsel from the princes, promoted idolatry, and killed the LORD’s prophets – including Zechariah – Jehoiada’s son. We think a person is great because he does great things. But sometimes, a person does great things only because he is being led behind the scenes by great people.
Thank you, LORD, for the Jehoiadas among us –great people who lead our leaders. May they be many.
Psalm 55
2 Chronicles 28
Psalm 54
2 Chronicles 27
Psalm 53
2 Chronicles 26
Psalm 52
2 Chronicles 25
Psalm 51
2 Chronicles 24
