Obedience

Ps 69:29–33

29 But I am afflicted and in pain; May Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high. 30 I will praise the name of God with song And magnify Him with thanksgiving. 31 And it will please the LORD better than an ox Or a young bull with horns and hoofs. 32 The humble have seen it and are glad; You who seek God, let your heart revive. 33 For the LORD hears the needy And does not despise His who are prisoners.

Examine / Explain

David just asked God to annihilate his enemies, but he recognized his internal pain. He is asking to be saved from his pain and be set high above it. His voice has changed from one of rage to one of praise and thanksgiving. Maybe he is realizing that obedience and praise are better than offering sacrifice for his actions. What is the significance of the young bull with horns and hoofs? A bull in its prime is ceremonially acceptable to offer as a sacrifice. The humble have experienced obedience over sacrifice, and the Lord sees them. They seek to be in His presence, and their inner being is revived. They are in challenging situations, yet God has saved the needy and still loves them.

How do I apply this in my life?

I still believe life is about pain management. Do I turn to God to deal and cope with the pain, or do I turn to the world to deal and cope? One will help me look more like Jesus and be able to help others deal with their pain. The world will leave me hungry and wanting to drink in more death. What internal pains am I coping with? Where is the inner struggle? Pride! I have expectations and ways I think things should be done that will encourage and build people up. But I feel ignored, so I shut down. I don’t want to be told what to do, especially if I am already working on me in those areas. In a way that fits my personality and temperament. I am uniquely and wonderfully made. YES, UNIQUELY made, and yet we all struggle with the same sins—the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and the boastful pride of life. I must die. It is better to be obedient than to sacrifice. Is dying to myself obedience or sacrifice? Yes!?!? We are called to live a life of holiness and be in God’s will. We are being obedient and sacrificing our own will in that process. In my current struggle, I expect God to save me so I don’t have to deal with the pain of my pride. I don’t think He is going to do that. I must go through the uncomfortable things so that the areas of my life that don’t align with Jesus can be exposed. Why do some of these life lessons take longer to grasp than others? And I can’t begrudgingly accept this next assignment. I have to put my best foot forward and try to do good. But why try to win an award you DO NOT CARE about? Because it’s the reward, not the award, that is key. I must focus on my purpose and calling when I’m in what I would consider a difficult spot.

What is my response?

Father, I know I must lay my pride on the altar. I must kill the things that are not of you in my life. My flesh wants to be ruler in my kingdom and do things my way. So, in order to kill my pride, I surrender to Your way. Wherever you put me, I must accept it and let Your light reflect off of me. I must do my best, and when I can’t, I will know that you still love me. You hear me. You see me. And I am not forgotten or forsaken. You will walk through all of it with me if I open my eyes to see You. My pride was blinding me. I still can’t entirely agree with the process, but I know you call me to be curious and encourage other men. So that is what I am going to do. If that is not enough, I need You to change my heart. I need to be like David and go from wanting to annihilate things to just seeking salvation and singing Your praise with the chaos going on around me. My eyes need to be looking on high at my king and savior. I must be about Your business and not my own. Amen.