During Lent, in the virtual company of some friends, I read through the history books of the Old Testament. It was an enlightening experience on many counts. I had not read the Bible straight through like that since I was a teenager, and I was surprised to discover how much time and age, walking with the Lord for a few decades can change one's perspective. I hope to write more about that in future posts. This evening I will simply record the prayer which has been on my heart in recent weeks.
In reading 2 Samuel I discovered a psalm of David which is not included in the Book of Psalms.
Now these are the last words of David.
David the son of Jesse declares,
The man who was raised on high declares,
The anointed of the God of Jacob,
And the sweet psalmist of Israel,
“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.
“The God of Israel said,
The Rock of Israel spoke to me,
‘He who rules over men righteously,
Who rules in the fear of God,
Is as the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
When the tender grass springs out of the earth,
Through sunshine after rain.’
“Truly is not my house so with God?
For He has made an everlasting covenant with me,
Ordered in all things, and secured;
For all my salvation and all my desire,
Will He not indeed make it grow?
“But the worthless, every one of them will be thrust away like thorns,
Because they cannot be taken in hand;
But the man who touches them
Must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear,
And they will be completely burned with fire in their place.” (2 Samuel 23)
Though I am no king, I also have an everlasting covenant with the Almighty God. My place in God's heart has been secured through Christ. My salvation and all that I desire will grow, as long as I can "be taken in hand." This is my prayer - that I will be a daughter who can be taken in hand. I want to be quick to repent, pliable and teachable, with ears open to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, may I never grow thorny to Your touch!