Psalm 35: Who cares how you feel

The weekend Psalm for:

March 13-14, 2010

Read  Psalm 35 from the English Standard Version

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The Big Idea

In our culture, we're obsessed with self esteem. It's not popular, or even smart, to point out that feeling good about one's self has no connection to being able to function in life. In fact, studies indicate that the people with the greatest self esteem are often delusional about their own abilities: Let's just say that they often have delusions of adequacy. 

You may never have thought about this, but the gospel is not about self esteem. Jesus did not die so that you could be self-fulfilled. He died to bring salvation. 

This Psalm is God's prescription when the whole world seem to be turned against you. Are circumstances against you? How about people? How about your work situation? God may not choose to fix all that (then again, he might). Either way, we can be sure two great promises. The first is in vs 10: " All my bones shall say, “O Lord, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?” The second is near the end of the Psalm: "Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servants." Nice to know that even in very difficult times, God delights to lift us out of our troubles and do good to us--even in the midst of the jeers of others and the throes of our own self-doubts.  

Meditation 

Is what you do--the stuff of your life and the force behind your activities driven by feeling good about yourself and gaining prestige in the eyes of others. You can be honest: I too am guilty as charged. 

This weekend, take time to consider your own self-assessment, and the pride that often goes along with that. Then, take the time to consider God's assessment of your character, your actions, and the core of who you are. Praise God, grace is at work here, too. He will transform you, if you let him. That's part of what Redemption is all about. Then you will be able to say, with the Psalmist, "I will thank you in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise you." 

Praying With This Psalm

You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others. 

• Father God, give _________ the grace of not assessing themselves by how others see them. May they view measure themselves by the yardstick of your Truth. 
• Oh Lord, our Redeemer, when _____ is faced with malicious people and terrible situations, give them the confidence and calm assurance of your faithfulness. 
• Almighty God, do not be silent in ______'s life. May they hear from you and know you are active, and that they are not abandoned.  
• Lord, may _____ know that there is no one is like you,delivering the poor;from him who is too strong for him.May they know that you are great and that you delight in the welfare of your servants."

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Hebrews 12:7.God's children sometimes face discipline...
  Father God, sometimes you disipline us. Help ______ to recognize how challenging times can be used by you to help them grow in holiness and be truly transformed. 
• 1 Peter 3:17. Suffering can have its merits...
  Lord Jesus Christ, may _____ know that it is better to suffer for doing good, and not for doing evil. 
• Matthew 5:10. Suffer for the right reasons...
  Father, when ____ is suffering, may it be because they are doing the right thing. Remind them that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who suffer on its behalf. 

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2010). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD)