Daily Readings and Thought for February 23rd. “WHEN THE CARES OF MY HEART ARE MANY … “
Psalm 94 contains many consoling and stimulating thoughts for us, especially for those who have to cope with the world and its unspiritual values most days of the week. This Psalm shows that our only sure strength of mind when life is difficult – is to have a real ‘living’ relationship with our God.
We read, “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul” [v.19] and “When I thought, ‘My foot slips,’ your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.” [v.18] What are God’s consolations? It has the sense of compassion and comfort. It reminds us of Paul’s words, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” {Philpns.4 v.6,7]
When God answers the petition with which this Psalm begins we will need that attitude of mind in all its fullness. We read, “O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth … O LORD …how long shall the wicked exult? They pour out their arrogant words …” [v.1-4]
The Psalm concludes, “But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge. He will bring back on them their iniquity and will wipe them out for their wickedness …” [v.22,23] Psalm 95 is also our reading today. Let us meditate on v.6-8, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts …” We hear his voice by reading his word, let us make sure we “hear” what we are reading.
