Psalms 26-28
One of David’s attributes which made him so precious to God was his humble, contrite spirit. “Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and heart.”(26:2). He truly wants his God to take a good look at him and his dedication. Only a pure heart would invite such scrutiny.
As the psalmist goes on to discuss his own faithfulness, he turns once again to the extraordinary faithfulness of God.” The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?” (27:1) Jehovah God is David’s rock, his strength, and his refuge.
As we scan these verses, it’s important to take a moment and ponder just what is being said. At times in our own lives, there may be disappointing issues which arise. When they do, we always have our God to turn to.
There have been times when I have been counseling someone and I would remind them of some of these verses. Even when their mother and father have forsaken them, “The Lord will take them up.”(27:10)
Or what about this? “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”(27:13)
Or “wait for the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage.”(27:14)
Do you feel strengthened just reading these verses again? I do. Our God is faithful, and we are to look to Him for our answers. For our strength. For our protection.
As we meditate on the verses we need for the moment and we speak them into the atmosphere, our hearts are empowered to accomplish His will for us. These are strong, powerful words.
Acts 22
After Paul’s arrest, the commander of the Roman Cohort allows him to speak publicly to the Jews. This Roman doesn’t know what the commotion is all about. Why are these Jews so angry at this man?
Standing on the stairs, above the crowd, Paul shares his testimony in the Hebrew dialect. He is appealing to his Jewish brothers to understand his call. As he gives detail upon detail, Paul explains how he had been called into the ministry, and how the Lord had led him from that time.
When Paul gets to the part about taking the message of salvation to the Gentiles, the Jews go into a rage. They begin “crying out, throwing off their robes, and tossing dust into the air.”(V. 23) These men are ready to stone Paul. They think that he is trying to overthrow the Jewish heritage.
As always, however, Paul has the right answer. The Romans are caught up in the scene and are about to flog him when Paul invokes his right as a Roman citizen. (During those times, Roman citizens had special rights. Certainly they were not to be flogged before a formal accusation had been made).
The Holy Spirit brings to Paul’s mind the idea to claim his citizenship. When we need to have wisdom from God, we can have it. In Luke 12:12, Jesus says, “When you are brought before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, , do not become anxious about how or what you should speak in your defense, or what you should say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
That’s what we see happening with Paul. He suddenly remembers to claim his Roman citizenship, a fact which brings great respect from the authorities.
We can count on the Holy Spirit’s leading also. When we are in tough situations, we need to calm down and listen to Him. He will guide us also, as we listen and obey what He is telling us to do.
