Walk Your Talk
August 29, 2022
Commentary
The psalmist describes how Israel was blessed of God over and over again and yet they rebelled against Him. The sin of idolatry appears and this wicked practice of the Canaanites was adopted by the people of the living God (vv. 59-60). Among the strategies God used to bring back His people was to let the Ark of the Covenant be captured by the Philistines (v. 60). General terms describe the havoc that prevailed as a result of God abandoning His people (vv. 61-64). Eventually God went to the aid of Israel, reversed their defeats, and once more defended them against their godless enemies (vv. 65-66). At Solomon’s death the northern tribes abandoned their allegiance to Jerusalem and went their own way (vv. 67-68). The building of the temple of Solomon is referred to (v 69).
We are told how God raised up from the tribe of Judah a boy named David (v. 70). He took this boy from the sheepfolds and place him on the throne of His people and he became one of the greatest rulers this world has ever known. Two descriptions of the leadership of David is given (v. 72):
- “So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart.” Integrity is not just believing in telling the truth but putting it into practice. It means living by the same standards whether anyone is watching or not.
- “And guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.” A Christian in public leadership needs to seek to do God’s will rather than bend to public opinion.
Application
Lord, help me to be a man of integrity and one who when I say something I will live by it. Also I want to be skillful and biblical in the way I deal with people.
Psalms 78:59– 72 (NET)
59 God heard and was angry; he completely rejected Israel.
60 He abandoned the sanctuary at Shiloh, the tent where he lived among men.
61 He allowed the symbol of his strong presence to be captured; he gave the symbol of his splendor into the hand of the enemy.
62 He delivered his people over to the sword, and was angry with his chosen nation.
63 Fire consumed their young men, and their virgins remained unmarried.
64 Their priests fell by the sword, but their widows did not weep.
65 But then the Lord awoke from his sleep; he was like a warrior in a drunken rage.
66 He drove his enemies back; he made them a permanent target for insults.
67 He rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim.
68 He chose the tribe of Judah and Mount Zion, which he loves.
69 He made his sanctuary as enduring as the heavens above, as secure as the earth, which he established permanently.
70 He chose David, his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds.
71 He took him away from following the mother sheep, and made him the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and of Israel, his chosen nation.
72 David cared for them with pure motives; he led them with skill.