Todays passage is a short Psalm, a blessing for the Lord, thanksgiving for His greatness and worthiness. We see more things David knew.
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29:10-11: David knew God as “Father.” There is a tendency to reserve this aspect of
God’s character for the NT. It is
certainly emphasized strongly in the NT, especially since the NT gives us the
life and ministry of the Son and the effects of all that as detailed in the
Epistles. Jesus, of course, taught us to
pray to the Father “in His name,” and that was something new. But what was new was the “in His name” part,
not the thought that God was a Father to His people. David calls Him “our Father” in relationship
to Israel. There is such a comfort in
that title, that relationship with God. Paul
pointed this out in Rom. 8:14-17. “Abba”
is, of course, the Hebrew term for “Father.”
When in Israel, visiting the various Biblical sights, it was always such
a joy to hear children calling with excitement to their “Abba” as they experienced
such special places. Have we learned the
blessing of knowing God as “Father?” In
my younger days I remember learning that Jesus’ benediction in the Lord’s prayer
came from 29:11. I wondered why He chose
that passage and not something from one of the Psalms or other great prayers in
the OT. I wondered, until I saw the
connection with “our Father.” It is good
praying when we address petitions to our Father.
·
29:14,16: David knew that what we give to God
belongs to Him and was given to us by Him.
God gives the ability to earn a living from work (Deut. 8:18). Every good and perfect gift comes from God
(James 1:17). We are only stewards,
taking care of what is God’s. David, who
had considerable wealth, knew this fundamental truth. God gave it to us, and they were only
returning to God what was His.
·
29:15: David knew he was but an alien, a
pilgrim, on this earth. It is hard
for people of wealth and power to learn this lesson; they enjoy what this earth
offers. Actually, it is hard for the
poor and oppressed to learn this lesson; they want to enjoy what the rich and
powerful have, and thus become tied to this earth. Psalm 49 deals with this issue, speaking of a
person whose inner thought is that their houses will last forever, their
dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not
remain, he is like the beasts that perish (49:11-12). One
of the marks of faith, for OT saints, was, as Heb. 11:39 puts it, that they
died without receiving the promise.
Remember: David was the one with whom God promised an everlasting
kingdom. Yet, he knew that his days
on earth (were) as a shadow and without hope.
What does he mean, “without hope?”
Did he not believe in a life to come?
Of course he did. Just read Psalm
23 and the provision of our Shepherd, that extends through this life, through
the shadow of death, so that goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. What he means is, there is no hope of living this life
forever. This earth has no answer for
our inevitable death. Thus, trusting in
what this world and shadowy life can offer is hopeless. That’s what David knew! Do we know this?
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