Psalm 28
Imagine a world where you cry out for help to a god you do not know exists. A world where you suffer for no reason, labor just to live, and have no hope of life after death. That is the world the lost live in. They might admit there is a “higher power.” But they don’t know for sure. For them life is futile. They have to try and get pleasure from the moment because they don’t know the purpose of life. They think they’re here as the result of a giant explosion which in its chaos somehow sparked life. In Verses 1-2 David cries out to God and envisions the situation of the lost.
“To you, O Lord, I call;
my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary.”
Such a forlorn situation lends itself to a destitute life even for the wealthiest people. David cried out to God and asked for His help in nearly every circumstance. And there were times he felt the misery of wondering if God would answer. I’m sure we’ve all experienced those desperate moments when it seems as if God has closed His eyes and ears to us. But He hasn’t. The lost in their indigence and ignorance seek to meet their own needs. They seek to find pleasure and do not worry about the consequences of sin, since they do not believe in sin. They probably have a sense of morality but it isn’t God’s truth, it is based on selfish desires, idolatry, and misguided attempts to find spirituality instead of righteousness. Verses 3-5 read,
“Do not drag me off with the wicked,
with the workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors
while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work
and according to the evil of their deeds;
give to them according to the work of their hands;
render them their due reward.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more.”
The lost will pay for the sins they commit. Their reward is only in this present life. Philippians 3:1-19 describe them.
“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”
But that is not us. We depend on The Lord. We call out to Him. He gives us purpose. We have the hope of eternity. Our reward is in Heaven because Jesus paid for our sins. Philippians chapter 3 continues with verses 20-21.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
What an amazing hope we have in Christ. Our Lord is so good to us. We know when we talk to Him, cry out to Him, and sing to Him, He hears us. He is always with us. He protects us on every side. He fills us. He is our strength. He is our Salvation from the evil of the world. He is our shield from the attacks of the enemy. Verses 6-9 read,
“Blessed be the Lord!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
8 The Lord is the strength of his people;
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
We have so much to thank the Lord for. We can easily trust Him because we know who He is. We have so many reasons to worship Him. We have so much motive to love Him. And the reason He chooses, saves, carries, and protects us is because He loves us. He loved us before we ever knew His name. He loved us before we breathed our first. We love Him, our brother, our neighbor, and our enemies because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19).
Imagine a world where you cry out for help to a god you do not know exists. A world where you suffer for no reason, labor just to live, and have no hope of life after death. That is the world the lost live in. They might admit there is a “higher power.” But they don’t know for sure. For them life is futile. They have to try and get pleasure from the moment because they don’t know the purpose of life. They think they’re here as the result of a giant explosion which in its chaos somehow sparked life. In Verses 1-2 David cries out to God and envisions the situation of the lost.
“To you, O Lord, I call;
my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary.”
Such a forlorn situation lends itself to a destitute life even for the wealthiest people. David cried out to God and asked for His help in nearly every circumstance. And there were times he felt the misery of wondering if God would answer. I’m sure we’ve all experienced those desperate moments when it seems as if God has closed His eyes and ears to us. But He hasn’t. The lost in their indigence and ignorance seek to meet their own needs. They seek to find pleasure and do not worry about the consequences of sin, since they do not believe in sin. They probably have a sense of morality but it isn’t God’s truth, it is based on selfish desires, idolatry, and misguided attempts to find spirituality instead of righteousness. Verses 3-5 read,
“Do not drag me off with the wicked,
with the workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors
while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work
and according to the evil of their deeds;
give to them according to the work of their hands;
render them their due reward.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more.”
The lost will pay for the sins they commit. Their reward is only in this present life. Philippians 3:1-19 describe them.
“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”
But that is not us. We depend on The Lord. We call out to Him. He gives us purpose. We have the hope of eternity. Our reward is in Heaven because Jesus paid for our sins. Philippians chapter 3 continues with verses 20-21.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
What an amazing hope we have in Christ. Our Lord is so good to us. We know when we talk to Him, cry out to Him, and sing to Him, He hears us. He is always with us. He protects us on every side. He fills us. He is our strength. He is our Salvation from the evil of the world. He is our shield from the attacks of the enemy. Verses 6-9 read,
“Blessed be the Lord!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
8 The Lord is the strength of his people;
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
We have so much to thank the Lord for. We can easily trust Him because we know who He is. We have so many reasons to worship Him. We have so much motive to love Him. And the reason He chooses, saves, carries, and protects us is because He loves us. He loved us before we ever knew His name. He loved us before we breathed our first. We love Him, our brother, our neighbor, and our enemies because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19).
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