This God!

This God!

Psalm 68:19 AMPC

[19] Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Reflect on the life and times of the man who is credited with the words of the verse above. This is the man referred to by God as a man after His own heart. Pause for a moment and consider what it took for God to say this about am imperfect and flawed man. David was a man who was subject to many passions such as anger and lust, and he acted on this with Bathsheba and one of his mighty men. He could have wiped out Nabal's family if not for the intervention of Nabal's wife, Abigail, who David eventually married. There was just so much blood on his hands that this would disqualify him from being able to build a fitting temple for God at the time. He was by no means perfect by what you may call normal standards, but then, who on earth at the moment is? Do I excuse my faults and weaknesses, or do I go with them to the God who sees beyond them and can bring me to the place of purpose? 

As mentioned above, reflect on the life of a man like this, and ask yourself what God could have seen in him to call such a flawed man someone after His heart. It would mean that there was something beneath the surface that other people could not see, but which God had seen and cherished. As you read the book of Psalms, you will know why. David had come to personal knowledge and experience of this God, and he could say with confidence that God bears burdens and carries him day by day. As we know, no two days are ever the same. You cannot rely on yesterday's supply for today's challenges. David understood this and sought God's help on a regular basis. If I will survive all that is coming, I cannot do less than what David did. It is important to note here that God did not approve the wrong things that David did; as we know, David was punished for the wrong he did, but the mercy of God did not depart from David. 

Even others who did not sin with David paid a price for his disobedience, and this is a warning too about the company I keep, the conversations I have and the cycle of decisions that I make. These all have consequences, and God makes clear what will happen if I choose a particular course of action. As much as He wants to help with my burdens, I have to give them to Him. He will not force Himself on me, or go against the exercise of my freewill. His offer to help has been in place since the creation of the earth, and He will not withdraw it until it is truly too late. Salvation is the key that opens the door for all other benefits. God wants to bless, but He also does not want to force Himself on anyone. He can bless beyond any curse, but I must surrender to Him if the blessing is to be permanent. He can carry my burdens, as He has everlasting arms that can never go weary or tired. The offer is open for all, and as the verse above ends, pause and calmly think of this, and then act. God's time of favour is here.