This Life!

Everyday we deal with and live in the skirmishes of the evil one, but God knows this battle has been fought and is finished.

It was fought at the cross and finished in the resurrection.

The evil one still grapples for a foothold in the lives of humans causing havoc and grief, but his days are numbered.

Even before the cross, God’s people knew that the ultimate victory belongs to God, not Satan. David knew this. Daily, he maneuvered through the madness of Saul and the treacheries and treason in the nation of Israel, but his hope, his foundation, his trust was in God. Psalm nine is one of the psalms in which David proclaims God’s victory as a feat accomplished (Psalm 9:5 – 8, 15 – 20).

 We can learn from David’s response to his knowledge of God’s everlasting kingdom. Four actions described in this psalm give us guidance for our daily lives in this world.

What did  David do?

• He sang praises to God (verse 11). When the darkness seemed overwhelming, David used his eyes of faith to look beyond the immediate to the eternal. This vision filled his heart with song.
• He declared God’s work (verse 11). Much time and energy is spent proclaiming the enemy’s work – just listen to the daily news. Conversations center around the bad and the ugly, and the good lies ignored by the wayside. David, though, talked about what God is doing. He talked about God’s work.
• He cried for God’s mercy as he lived through troubled times (verse 13). Make no mistake, we need God’s mercy in this world. We cannot live victorious lives in our own strength. David knew this and cried for God to have mercy on him.
• He rejoiced in God’s salvation (verse 14). This world is not my home. I have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. No matter what is happening or not happening, I can rejoice that I am His child. He is my refuge (verse 9). He has not forsaken, and He will not forsake me (verse 10).

David’s response to this troubled world did not come from a life free of trial; it flowed from a heart of faith in the everlasting God.

I have often heard that success comes when we do the right things over and over again. David gives us, through God’s inspiration, the right things to do.

In this broken world, do the trials seem overwhelming? Does it appear that evil is winning?

Then, do the right things –

• Sing praises to God.
• Tell others about Him and His work.
• Cry out for His mercy.
• Rejoice in His salvation

Whether it feels reasonable or not, keep doing the right things – every. day.

Victory is certain.

We can live in God’s victory rather than the evil one’s despair.

Psalm 9: I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works. ² I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. ⁷ But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. ⁸ And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

⁹ The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. ¹⁰ And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Photo – Sky Valley, Georgia, Beth Mims