Psalm 89:38-45

Psalm 89:38-45 38 But You have cast off and abhorred, you have been furious with Your anointed. 39 You have renounced the covenant of Your servant; You have profaned his crown by casting it to the ground. 40 You have broken down all his hedges; You have brought his strongholds to ruin. 41 All who pass by the way plunder him; he is a reproach to his neighbors. 42 You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries; You have made all his enemies rejoice. 43 You have also turned back the edge of his sword, and have not sustained him in the battle. 44 You have made his glory cease, and cast his throne down to the ground. 45 The days of his youth You have shortened; You have covered him with shame. Selah

David’s line failed. The kings in the line did not follow the path of their father, David. They did not walk with God, and with few exceptions, they forgot about Him. God finally brought judgment against Israel by raising a pagan nation and taking them into captivity. Israel, the apple of God’s eye, humiliated, defeated and removed from their homes.

C.H. Spurgeon believed that this Psalm was perhaps written during Rehoboam’s reign by Jeduthun. If you remember your O.T., it was during Rehoboam’s reign that the nation of Israel was split into two kingdoms, Israel to the north and Judah to the south. Trouble was brewing for David’s line and it appeared as if God had gone back on His word and it is from this vantage point that the Psalmist pours out his heart to God. We know that God had not forgotten his covenant however because we have the luxury of 20/20 backwards vision. We know that God preserved David’s line all the way up to Jesus. We also know that the covenant is ultimately preserved in the Son of David – Jesus the Christ. We know that even if times are bleak we are to completely trust God.

Or do we?

Let’s re-read our verses today from the viewpoint of Peter, shall we? He had put all of his faith in this carpenter from Galilee. He had witnessed miracles, cast out demons in His name and had said of Him “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”. Fast forward to Gethsemane – Peter flees from him and later that night denies him. The next day there is Jesus nailed to a Roman cross. Do you think perhaps these same verses went through his mind on that Friday? Before him was God’s anointed defeated and dying on a cross. It appeared that God had again failed His covenant. But we have that advantage of that 20/20 backwards vision again. We know that Jesus did not stay in the grave but instead rose from the grave three days later! We know that the cross was the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for man! We know that the cross may be a symbol of humiliation and defeat to man but it is a symbol of grace and victory to the Christian!

Or do we?

Now let’s re-read the verses from today from our vantage point. We live in a world that has forgotten God. We are His anointed ones because of our adoption into His family, and yet the world mocks and hates us. We live in a world where the King's crown is dragged through the dust and our King is mocked and ridiculed. Victories are few and fleeting, the forces of the evil one hold sway over a planet that blindly follows their vile pleasures. Do the verses from today ring through our heads as we live life? Do we wonder if God has finally given up on His covenant and on us?

May it never be! Take that same 20/20 backwards vision and turn it towards the future beloved! God has proven Himself faithful! He will never forsake His church! You have been redeemed through the cross! He will never forsake you! Do not lose hope – never give up! Stand Christian! Space doesn’t allow for a full exposition but go and read Ephesians 6:10-18. Focus on verse 13 which is what I’ll close with for today.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand

Stand in your armor. Trust God and His word.

Grace and peace to you all…