Read Psalm 138:1-8. 1I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; 2I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. 3On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. 4All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth, 5and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. 6For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. 7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. 8The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
The next eight psalms are the last eight psalms of David in the psalter. Here his familiar themes emerge – thanksgiving, praise, rescue, enemies. And, of course, confidence in God – the Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.
David’s confidence, as always, is rooted in God’s steadfast love. His covenant, loyal, unbreakable love. The divine love that endures forever. God’s faithfulness will always cause him to fulfill his purposes in our lives. He will never, ever quit on us. As Paul said, “He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it in you.”
Do you believe this?
Sadly, I think too many Christians fail to see the purpose of God in their life. Many are simply trying to manage their life until they eventually die and go to Heaven where they will fade into the background sort of like they do at church now. But is that what Christ died for? Did Jesus stretch out his hands on the cross for you so that you might squeak into glory? Or is the indwelling Christ doing a soul increasing work in your life, even today?
To live is Christ gives your life and mine all the purpose it needs. God’s purpose. What is that purpose? To simply glorify God by trusting him. To sing the ways of the Lord, and to give thanks with your whole heart.
You: Can you articulate God’s purpose for your life?
You in Christ: How does our union with Christ define our life’s purpose?
Christ in you: In what ways can you see Christ completing his good work in you?
Pray: Father, you looked on my lowliness and delivered me for your own glorious purposes. Let my life be a trophy of your grace and nothing else today. Amen.
To Live is Christ 