Today's passage: Psalm 71
Helpful thoughts:
- Portent – An exceptional or wonderful person.
- David was regarded highly by many, but he knew it was right to regard the Lord as higher than all. God was David's refuge and fortress, not the other way around.
- David did not keep this knowledge of God's glory to himself. What was in his heart poured out of his mouth (Matthew 12:34).
- David must have spoken of his trust in the Lord so much that even his enemies knew to only attack when they thought the Lord had forsaken him. (Verse 11)
- They had come to know and believe the same thing David did. God was his rock and fortress.
Questions to consider:
- Where did David place his confidence in God's desire to deliver him? Was David praying, “God deliver me, I've been so good so you owe me one”? Would that kind of transaction be reason for praise?
- If/When people start to think highly of us, what must we remember? Who are we? Why is there any good in us? Why would public opinion be such a dangerous counterfeit for doing all things for the glory of God as a living sacrifice and slave of righteousness (1 Corinthians 10:31, 2 Corinthians 5:9, Romans 12:1-3, Romans 6:15-23)?