Friday, March 10, 2017

Psalm 69 - Humble vs. Proud

Psalm 69 is one of the "Messianic" psalms. Here's a good article that talks about Messianic Psalms

But that's not what I want to blog about. I really like these verses.

32 The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.

33 For the LORD hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people.

I sometimes - well, a lot of times - get so irritated at these people that start naming and claiming stuff from God. They are so smug - proud - in how they talk. They think they've thought of just the right words to say that will make God do what they want Him to do. 

But what is written here in Psalm 69 is echoed throughout scripture.

2 Samuel 22:28 NLT
28 You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.

James and Peter both quoted Proverbs 3:34

James 4:6 NIV
6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5 NIV
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Jesus said, (same idea)
Matthew 5:3 NIV
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

If you have a biblical view of God - holy, almighty, omnipotent, glorious, .... the list goes on and on....
but anyway, if you see God for who He is you don't just start saying "in the name of Jesus..." and then tell God what you expect Him to do. 

Yes. We can come boldly to the throne of grace 
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The difference is that Hebrews is talking about approaching with confidence in God's grace and mercy. The proud have confidence in their approach. Does that make sense? I think it does. 

I don't know if I've expressed well what I'm trying to say, but I know that if you ask God to show you what He means by the verses above that the Spirit will show you. 




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