Forty Days in the Psalmsනියැදිය

When I (Josiah) was younger, the toughest kid in our neighborhood was friends with my older brother. I felt invincible when this kid was playing street hockey with us in our backyard. Why? I was still the very average-size bookworm I had been before he came over. What had changed was who I was with! Everyone was afraid of this guy, but at least for today, he was with us.

The Psalms were the prayer book of God’s people Israel. Jesus told the Pharisees that all Scripture pointed to Him. One of the keys to reading Psalms is to realize that they are about Jesus. Or as is the case with Psalm 17, the Psalms are an expression of prayer that could come from the lips of Jesus Himself. This fact is powerful on its own. But consider even further that when we put our faith in Jesus, the Bible says we live in Him and He in us.

Psalm 17 reads “You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.”

I know I have not lived up to these words. Yet I can have confidence that these are the words of my Savior. And, because of His Amazing Grace and Love, I am included in His Just Reward! What a Savior! With the help of the Holy Spirit, I can pray these words, along with Jesus, and know that I am taking shelter in what He has done for me. To pray this way is vital if we want to see our Identity rooted in Jesus!

RESPOND IN PRAYER:

As this Psalm reminds you of what Jesus has done for you and who you are in Him, bring any doubts and fears about who you are to the Throne, knowing that Jesus is there with you! Ask the Holy Spirit to point your heart to Jesus and your new Identity in Him.