Songs of the Soul: A Lent DevotionalSample

Psalm 9 is a triumphal hymn, in which we see God as Conqueror. It’s believed that in David’s day, it may have been written in reference to his victory against Goliath. In our modern-day application, we can see it as Jesus’s Victory over Satan.

When we look at the first two verses, we see that David’s actions are deliberate. David wills his whole heart to give thanks to God. David recounts all of God’s Wonderful Deeds when he was victorious over Goliath. It doesn’t matter if anyone else joins him, because he has made the decision that out of the overflow of his heart, generous praise will come forth from his own lips.

When we go through trying times in our own lives, we may cry out to God for victory through prayer. When that victory comes, we can follow David’s model: By our own choice and free will generously given to us by God, we don’t use this as an opportunity to indulge our pride and say that we alone got ourselves through, but it is God who brought us through, and still continues to. We don’t carry out justice on our own terms, but we entrust ourselves and unjust situations to God as we recall God’s Character.

We remember that God’s Character is multifaceted. He is not only Mercy, but He is also Justice. As He is Perfectly Righteous, He judges the world accordingly (verse 8).

We can easily be discouraged and challenge His Character when we see so many unjust circumstances, but we can bring our discouragement and questions to God in prayer, and choose to trust that He is truly more active and engaged in our lives and the world than we think He is.

We can rest assured that although there are powers and principalities at work, God is far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, and He is seated Enthroned forever (verse 7). He is Infinitely Immovable and All-Powerful, and He is also Personal. He is a Stronghold for the oppressed and to anyone going through times of trouble (verse 9).

It’s in this Place that we find Peace that surpasses all understanding, Joy in hope, Patience in affliction, and Faith through prayer. We can rejoice in the same hope that David had in his day: God is more than able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

Marienne Kawasaki
Sunday Operations

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for faithfully bringing me through each season of my life, and today, I remember who You are: Merciful, Faithful, Kind, and just. Help me continue to trust You each day.