Unconditional Praise
BRD REFLECTIONS
Jeremiah 52 and Psalm 54 (NIV)
(Jonathan Kong, Missionary Associate)
READ:
Psalm 54 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Psalms 54 reads like the typical psalm, with the psalmist asking for God’s deliverance from trouble and ends with the psalmist proclaiming victory in the name of the Lord. However, Psalms 54 gives a helpful context to 1 Samuel 23:19, which recorded the Ziphites informing Saul that David was hiding among them. While 1 Samuel 23 told the facts of the incident, Psalms 54 narrates the inner landscape of David’s soul in the encounter.
By this time, David and his men have been fleeing from Saul for quite some time, moving from place to place to escape capture. They must have been weary, discouraged and not seeing an end in sight. And at this point, they have been betrayed by the people of the land, forcing them to leave hurriedly once again. Psalms 54:1-3 shows David’s eager cry to God for help, acknowledging his anxiety about being hunted. However, he acknowledges that his help comes, not from his intellect or strength, but from God who sustains him.
In Psalms 54:6, David says that he will sacrifice a freewill offering to God. This seemed strange to me as free-will offerings are usually given in thanks for God’s deliverance and might. Promising a free-will offering to God at this point while he is still in danger seemed premature. Moreover, the purpose of a free-will offering is not to “bribe” or compel God to act for David against Saul. David clarifies later in the verse that he does so to praise God’s name, recognising He is good. David ends in verse 7 almost prophesying that God will deliver him from his troubles and he will end in triumph. It almost seems that David is so sure of the goodness of God and that God will act for him that even his impending danger seems inconsequential, and that David simply skips over bringing his petition to God and goes on to give God praise for what He has not yet done but will do.
APPLY:
Reading this, I am encouraged that, like David, I too can give thanks to God even though I am in the midst of trouble, indecision and challenging times. I know that God cannot be bribed with “offerings” of pious acts, exemplary conduct or eager service. However, when faced with challenges that are beyond me, rather than offering God an unconditional “free-will offering”, my reflex instinct is to pray to God for help and be “extra-good” in order to seemingly warrant the help. This could be serving more, fasting with the petition in mind, doing extra-long devotion times – almost to the extent of arm-twisting God and demanding that He acts based on how much I am “giving” to Him. Seeing David’s example, I am stunned by His trust on who God is and shamed by the thought that I can compel God to act in a way I desire.
David seemed to know that God would deliver him from the hands of Saul. But oftentimes, despite acknowledging that God is good, I am not as sure that I will be vindicated, justified or delivered from the midst of my troubles. And the reality is that Christians are not immune from suffering in this world. However, reflecting on Psalms 54, I am reminded of the verse in Habakkuk 3:17-18 that despite circumstances not becoming better or even becoming worse, I can still rejoice in the Lord and be joyful in who He is. To me, that should be the nature of praise, giving God the glory less because of what He does but more because of who He is.
DO:
Many people tell me to remain optimistic when facing trouble and that “things will work out”. However, reading Psalms 54, I am convicted that when facing trouble, I should focus on who God is first and not what He will do for me. I am convicted to offer up praise and then actively leave the matter to God whenever I am anxious, trusting in God’s character that He will work out all things for His glory.
PRAY:
Lord Jesus, thank You for opening the way to the Father. Thank You that through You, we are able to experience the goodness of God and to see His character which You have shown during Your time on earth. Jesus, I am sorry when I try to take things into my own hands in times of trouble. I am sorry that I try to manipulate God almost like He is an idol that exists for my benefit. I pray that the Holy Spirit will convict me during those times when my mind follows such fleshly ways and will turn my mind to trust in the Father and to You who are constantly interceding for me. You know my struggles and needs so I entrust them to You. May You provide for me and sustain me daily and may I walk beside You every day in faithfulness and trust. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
