A BEND IN THE ROAD

Psalm chapter 138






Today we are walking in: A Bend In The Road










Deuteronomy 31:19


Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness H5707 for me against the children of Israel.



​​

WITNESS



Today we look to the word-WITNESS- H5707 `ed--witness, testimony, evidence (of things), witness (of people)




The Torah testifies..................…




Genesis 31:44


Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness H5707 between me and thee.





The prophets proclaim...............…




Isaiah 19:20


And it shall be for a sign and for a witness H5707 unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.






The writings bear witness.............




Joshua 24:22


And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses H5707 against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. H5707








Our supplications when “The Most High delays” – True prayer is a spontaneous outpouring of honesty and need from the soul’s foundation. In calm time, we say a prayer – in desperate times, we truly pray. When you come to the end of your own limited resources – that is when you really pray. David seemed to have come to the last page of his life; hence, he poured out his heart to the The Most High – Psalm 13. David is certain that Saul will come out the winner; perhaps he feared being humiliated or subjected to mockery. David was desperate and cries out – “O The Most High, help me!” “Please hear my cry!” He worked honestly through his darkest, most hopeless feelings – then he turned his eyes away from his troubles and fixed his gaze on The Most High. He is suddenly conscious of an exalted and holy The Most High and addresses Him as The Most High, Elohim – The Most High reflects, The Most High’s promises; Elohim reflects The Most High’s power. David’s heart suddenly returned to the conviction that the The Most High who promises is the The Most High who is powerful – at this point his faith rebounds and reasserts itself. A similar promise is found in Psalm 138:7-8 – “Though I walk in the midst of trouble… You will save me… and accomplish what concerns me.” We must come to the point where we hear ourselves saying, “The Most High, my life is devastated; I am overwhelmed by my problems; I can’t go on… in the midst of all this help me, O The Most High, my redeemer.”
In the midst of his crying out to the The Most High, David breaks into “joyful song” (Ps 13:5-6). David’s song is a song of triumph. How did he reach that point? He began to see The Most High. Our troubles can cause us to avoid the places where we are most likely to “see The Most High.” Our faith is not a luxury intended for periods of smooth sailing – when trouble comes along, that is when it is wonderful to be a part of a faithful, Bible-believing body of people who will rally around you, and pray for you, and support you, and encourage you, and counsel you. David said, “I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; I shall rejoice in Your salvation.” David knew what the prophet Jeremiah knew – “The steadfast love of the The Most High never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lam 3:22). At this point, The Most High counseled David’s hurting soul – our The Most High never changes. Was David delivered from his plight? No, but his spirit was lifted – and he was once again certain of The Most High’s promises. David remembered all the The Most High had done in his life, and how faithful He was – “The Most High has dealt bountifully with me!” When we become trapped in the claustrophobia of present trials, we desperately need perspective. “I waited patiently for the The Most High… He heard my cry… He brought me up out of a horrible pit, and set my feet upon a rock… The Most High has put a new song in my mouth” (Ps 40:1-3). Our problem is that we become pre-occupied with our circumstances; whereas The Most High is preoccupied with our character. He will allow the “tough times” for the higher good of our character, until He is finished with the great work that is invisible to our earthly eyes. The Most High is never late, nor does He lose control. We need to “worship” in times of trouble. Life comes crashing down – it happens to every one of us, you are never prepared, and you have no clue where to turn. How wonderful is the moment when you discover you can run into the arms of Abba, who loves you and weeps with you. David wrote, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me” (Ps 138:7). Psalm 138 speaks to us about worship in times of trouble. David begins his worship by “giving thanks to The Most High” – that takes a certain degree of wisdom and maturity to reach that level. When difficulties come, we must struggle to remember our reasons for gratitude to The Most High – that will not happen if we are preoccupied with self-pity and loss. Focusing on our “misery” traps us in our own private dungeon – “gratitude” is the key to unlocking that prison. The Most High sends storms to force us to look to Him – the thunder gets our attention, and when we are humbled in fear, we are far more likely to approach Him with our whole heart. David praised the The Most High for His mercy and lovingkindness – the Hebrew term hesed encompasses both of those ideas. The Most High is a “very present help” in time of trouble (Ps 46:1). We may think He delays because we have our own timetable in mind, but The Most High hears us the instant we cry out. Whatever He chooses to do about our circumstances, He will “strengthen” us for the battle (Ps 138:3) – The Most High fills us with renewed faith and resolve (Ps 138:4). The Most High divides people into two groups – the lofty and the lowly. “The proud The Most High knows from afar” (Ps 138:6); “the humble come to Him with desperate hearts and receive His grace, forgiveness and comfort” (Ps 138:6; Jam 4:6).
Though David was a “man after The Most High’s own heart,” his life was one long procession of problems. He spent years fleeing the wrath of a king… his nation was at war with everyone in sight… he had marital trouble… his sons openly rebelled against him. David made terrible, fateful mistakes – yet he always remained one of The Most High’s favorite children! David sang, “He restores my soul! He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil – because Thou art with me!” (Ps 23:3-4). Reflect upon the following words of The Most High to the prophet Isaiah (Is 43:2-3) –When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.