Devotion 11.3.59

Psalm 70

O Lord, Do Not Delay

To the choirmaster. Of David, for the memorial offering.

1 Make haste, O God, to deliver me!

  O Lord, make haste to help me!

2 Let them be put to shame and confusion

  who seek my life!

Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor

  who delight in my hurt!

3 Let them turn back because of their shame

  who say, “Aha, Aha!”

4 May all who seek you

  rejoice and be glad in you!

May those who love your salvation

  say evermore, “God is great!”

5 But I am poor and needy;

  hasten to me, O God!

You are my help and my deliverer;

  O Lord, do not delay!

Minnesota lost. Kansas City lost. Dallas lost. If I root for a team or even follow them with interest, I got skunked on Sunday.

Minnesota and KC lost to division rivals. Minnesota lost to Detroit in the one-time dreaded NFC Central in its heyday - Minnesota, Detroit, Chicago, Green Bay [ all bitter opponents. KC v Denver is a newer rivalry but still bitter. KC won earlier in the season against them but Denver had other ideas Sunday.

Dallas lost to Arizona. The Cardinals, who dared take the name with them when they left St. Louis, have been weak this season which is what made the loss interesting. On paper, it should have been an easy win for the Boys. On one play, Dak looks up and gives the familiar "all glory to God" motion (look up, point to sky, and make a gesture to God that indicates "all glory"), usually reserved for after an accomplishment like a TD. 

That's become habitual in our modern culture to state for the record, "I'd like to say I owe all I do and give glory to Christ/God" after a significant win. Rarely, if ever, in loss do you hear, "In defeat, I still would like to acknowledge Christ."

David acknowledged God in all kinds of weather - sunny skies, gloomy clouds on the horizon, storms. Today's psalm is interesting because it is David at his most vulnerable. In vv 4 - 5, he affirms the gift of salvation and gift of faith in those who "seek you." "God is great!" is his culminating statement. 

But, David says, I am poor and needy. Help me O God! Deliver me now!

Having just heard "The Beatitudes" yesterday, David is telling us he is "poor in spirit." Something has humbled David, and we can see him on bent knee beseeching God to help his spirit be restored.

Pray with me: Gracious God, When I am weak or strong, help me to turn to you for guidance. When I am poor in spirit, help me to understand the message of salvation. Restore me to live another day to bring glory to you. In Christ's name, Amen.