Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 2-247 Sunday 15 Dec 2002

Reading: Psalm 138 – GOD ISN’T FINISHED WITH ME!

‘He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion’.(Phil 1:6) Praise him!

Heartfelt praise suffuses this thanksgiving-song, based around God’s intrinsic holiness of character (v 2), and the transforming power of answered prayer in David’s life (v 3). Craig Broyles in his New International Biblical Commentary states that the identity of the ‘gods’ (v 1) is likely to be that of heavenly beings. Does our own praise, our frame of spiritual reference touch the glories of heaven as well as life on earth? Look around, look up; see elements of God’s heavenly work in your midst and give thanks!

J Stafford Wright* suggests that this psalm was written after David had brought the ark to Jerusalem, setting up a tabernacle for it (2 Sam 6). At this point on his pilgrimage, David might have been tempted to think that God had been doing a pretty good job in his life! ‘The works of your hands’ (v 8) reflect not only God’s work in unifying the nation, but also the fashioning of David’s life as a man ‘after God’s own heart’: here we see traces of that life, evenly balanced with praise, thanksgiving, and worship (vs 1-3); a missionary zeal (vs 4,5); and a longing for righteousness in all circumstances (vs 6,7). David ‘balances’ this praise with a petition to God not to abandon the work he had begun.

How is it for us? Too often we can get caught up with personal agendas and preferences, not allowing God’s faithfulness to produce godly balance and breadth in our characters and ministry in Christ. We may be great worship leaders, preachers or pastoral visitors, but what of our social conscience, missionary vision, or personal holiness?

‘Lord, we praise you that you will never abandon your work in us.’

* Psalms, Bible Study Commentary, SU/CLC

– David Blair

Copyright Scripture Union, 2002

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