God’s Enabling Power

Topic: Power
Passage: Psalms 89:19–37

December 20, 2019

Commentary

The Lord tells in a vision how he has chosen David from his people and made him famous (v. 19). He says, “David, my servant, is the one I chose to be king (v. 20), and I will always be there to help and to strengthen him (v. 21). No enemy will outsmart David, and he won’t be defeated by any hateful people. God promises David that he will have His power to accomplish His will. This is made known through the amazing splendor of his covenant (vv. 19-37):

  1. Made with David’s personality (vv. 19-28 – Majestic, Merciful and Messianic.
  2. Made with David’s perpetuality (vv. 29-37) – Made to endure forever.

Without God’s help we are weak and powerless, inadequate for even the simplest spiritual tasks. But when we are filled with God’s Spirit His power flows through us and our accomplishments will exceed our expectations.

In light of Israel’s continual disobedience throughout history, this is an amazing promise (vv. 34-37).  God promised that David’s descendants would always sit on the throne (v. 29), but if they disobeyed they would be punished (vv. 30-32). However, through their disobedience and punishment God would never give up on them (v. 33). Israel did disobey, evil ran rampant and the nation was divided, but through it all a remnant of God’s people remained faithful. Centuries later the Messiah, the eternal king from David’s line arrived, just as God had promised. All that God promised He fulfills. He will not take back even one word of what he says. God is completely reliable.

Application

 

I was challenged by a pastor several years ago to take out my label maker and make several labels with the words “Pray for Power.” I placed one on my bathroom mirror, another on the dashboard of my car and one on my computer. I need to do that again as a constant reminder that what I really need is God’s power in my life.

 

Psalms 89:19– 37 (NET)

19 Then you spoke through a vision to your faithful followers and said: “I have placed a young hero over a warrior; I have raised up a young man from the people.

20 I have discovered David, my servant. With my holy oil I have anointed him as king.

21 My hand will support him, and my arm will strengthen him.

22 No enemy will be able to exact tribute from him; a violent oppressor will not be able to humiliate him.

23 I will crush his enemies before him; I will strike down those who hate him.

24 He will experience my faithfulness and loyal love, and by my name he will win victories.

25 I will place his hand over the sea, his right hand over the rivers.

26 He will call out to me, ‘You are my father, my God, and the protector who delivers me.’

27 I will appoint him to be my firstborn son, the most exalted of the earth’s kings.

28 I will always extend my loyal love to him, and my covenant with him is secure.

29 I will give him an eternal dynasty, and make his throne as enduring as the skies above.

30 If his sons reject my law and disobey my regulations,

31 if they break my rules and do not keep my commandments,

32 I will punish their rebellion by beating them with a club, their sin by inflicting them with bruises.

33 But I will not remove my loyal love from him, nor be unfaithful to my promise.

34 I will not break my covenant or go back on what I promised.

35 Once and for all I have vowed by my own holiness, I will never deceive David.

36 His dynasty will last forever. His throne will endure before me, like the sun;

37 it will remain stable, like the moon. His throne will endure like the skies.” (Selah)