Summer ought to be a season when we’re able to rest well—a time we can spend with the Lord and His goodness. But, oftentimes, we actually fall out of healthy spiritual habits and end up trying to rest from the Lord instead of resting in Him.
That’s why we’ve created the Summer Selah Series. Over 40 days, we’ll be sharing daily devotions during a season where you may not feel very devoted.
Based on excerpts from his book Selah: Devotions From The Psalms For Those Who Struggle With Devotion, Ross Lester, our Pastor of Preaching and West Congregation Pastor, will provide readings from select Psalms, a brief devotional reflection, and some prayer points for each of the 40 days.
Take some time to read Psalm 21. Then, come back and read the following verses again.
“For you make him most blessed forever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
For the king trusts in the Lord,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.” (Psalm 21:6-7 ESV)
Psalm 21 is the second half of a coupled pair. It follows on from Psalm 20 and continues to thank God for the awesome victory that He brings. It would be worth your time to read both Psalms today. But, in particular, verse 6 and 7 of Psalm 21 are really striking and worth another look.
David was speaking about the different ways God had blessed him and brought him victory as a covenant son of God. The things he mentioned in these verses can be said to extend in a way to all of God’s covenant children.
He has granted us eternal blessings (Psalm 21:6a), which include an eternity with Him, a guaranteed inheritance in heaven, a place in the family of God, a seat at the table of the wedding supper of the Lamb, and eternal unhindered access to the astonishing presence of the Most High God. We stress so much in this life because we don’t think nearly enough about what is waiting for us in the next.
God doesn’t just leave us with only a future hope of blessing though. He also gives us the joy of His presence in this life (Psalm 21:6b). This is astonishing, and something that I don’t think I appreciate all that much.
God.
With me.
Around me.
In me.
All the time.
I can’t help but think of how much more joy I would have if I remembered that more often than I do.
Lastly, David spoke of God’s unfailing love (Psalm 21:7). This is still something that I am getting my head and heart around. When I read the Scriptures, I am absolutely persuaded that God loves you and that His love for you is unfailing and unlimited. But, where I struggle is in believing that He feels that way about me.
He loves me.
That doesn’t change.
That doesn’t fail.
Because His love for me is based on His goodness and not mine, He doesn’t withdraw it from me when I fail.
So, just like David, I trust in the Lord. He is good to me.
Father God, You have blessed me far more than I deserve through the gift of Your salvation and the power of Your presence. Give me eyes to see just how steadfast Your love is towards me and give me the faith to trust in it regardless of what I am going through.
Ross Lester, Selah: Devotions From The Psalms For Those Who Struggle With Devotion (Magnolia, Texas: Lucid Books, 2017)
