As the saving goes, "History repeats itself." However, this is true only in a general sense and because it pleases God to do what He did in the past. All is the execution of His eternal plan. Also in the history of the church and its members God repeats His work of mercy and grace. He is faithful and unchangeable and in His mercy and grace brings His people back from ways of sin, and from ways of difficulty for their flesh, to assurance of His love.
David spoke of this in Psalm 4:1 when he wrote: "Hear me when 1 call, O God of my righteousness: Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer." Plainly he is praying that God will repeat His work of bringing him out of difficulties, as He did in the past. He is praying that a bit of history in his life may be repeated.
What his problem was this time we are not told. But praying for enlargement reveals that he was in a tight situation. And if we live as children of God today, as we approach the days of the antichrist, we will be pressed into a corner and have a difficult time. In the measure we show our faith today, we will be ridiculed, shunned, and denied freedoms. More and more wickedness is pressing down upon the world, and there is reason for us today to sing:
My righteous God, Who oft of old
Hast saved from troubles manifold,
Give answer when I call to Thee,
Be gracious now and hear my plea.
But notice that the ground of David's prayer for mercy is the fact that he prays to the God of his righteousness. We can in our singing call Him our righteous God. But our KJV brings out a truth which we must never overlook: He is the God of our righteousness. He made us righteous in Christ, and on the basis of that righteousness we may be dealt with in mercy. Remember that when you pray.
In Jesus' parable the proud Pharisee was not heard when he prayed. The publican was heard and went home justified.
Read: Luke 18:1-14
Psalter versification: 6:1
(Words and Music of the Psalter)
Daily Meditations
on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter number 403
Why not sing along??
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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Ezekiel 29 ; Ezekiel 30:1-26
Hebrews 11:32-40 ; Hebrews 12:1-13
Psalm 112:1-10
Proverbs 27:17
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Quote for Reflection:
"… It is true that God oftentimes useth this speech, Return unto me, and I will come unto you: but this is to show what is our duty and not what our power is." – John Calvin
Additional Info
- Date: 14-November
