Psalms 39:12 (KJV)
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
Years ago, a preacher and a young man he was mentoring were visiting us in Astoria. One morning at breakfast, the preacher asked his young disciple what he had learned from his Bible reading that morning. The young man replied, “David’s just complaining again.”
I imagine it is easy for the young and inexperienced to view hardship and grief with impatience and contempt. They are strong and energetic and haven’t been beaten down much by either the troubles of the world or the burdens of their own sin.
Those with a few more years under their belts can relate a bit better to David. The older we get, the more wonderful heaven sounds.
Listen to the Psalmist’s plea to be heard.
I am a stranger
He had come to recognize that he didn’t fit well into this world.
I am a stranger with Thee
Not that he was estranged from the Lord, but that he was a stranger in this world, even as the Lord is. It is no shame to be thought strange in this world so long as you have the companionship of the Lord.
I am a stranger just as my fathers were
He had not tried to make the path more common so he would fit better into the world. He kept the same path, the same faith as his fathers.
The friendship of this world is enmity with God, so to be more familiar with the world is to be less familiar with the Lord.
“Lord, hear my prayer, even my tears, as I seek to be ever nearer to You and further from the things of this world.”
#Psalm39v12 #DailyVisitWithGod #WalkingWithGod #StrangersAndPilgrims #KingJamesBible
Christians Don’t Fit: Faithful to God, Not Worldliness
Are You Growing Closer to God or More Comfortable With the World?
David understood something every Christian needs to learn: this world is not our home, and our greatest fellowship is not found in fitting in with the world but in walking with the Lord.
Take a moment today to examine your own walk with God. Are you following the faith of those who went before you, or allowing the world to draw you away?
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