Jesus throughout the Scriptures: Psalms 1 (7)
Pray Psalm 17.6, 7.
I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save those who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.
Sing Psalm 17.6, 7.
(Park Street: All You That Fear Jehovah’s Name )
When I have called, You answered me, LORD; hear now my fervent, seeking word!
Let kindness flow by Your command. Keep and preserve me by Your Right Hand,
keep and preserve me by Your Right Hand.
Read Psalm 17.1-15; meditate on verse 15.
Preparation
1. What was David facing in this psalm?
2. Where did he turn for encouragement?
Meditation
David often faced trouble and adversity, some of which he brought upon himself. But whether trials come because of our sin or the sin of others, they’re never pleasant. Some, indeed, can be terrifying. Ask any believer in various parts of the world who daily faces the threat or reality of persecution.
God tests our heart at such times (v. 3). He wants us to make sure that no sin is harboring there and that all our commitments are to continue in His path (v. 4). Trials and troubles are also times to call upon the Lord for strength to continue in Him, come what may (vv. 4, 5). As David believed God would hear and answer him (vv. 6-9), so we can believe as well. And amid our trials and afflictions—which, after all, are only normal for life in the Kingdom of God (Jn. 16.33; Acts 14.21, 22; Rev. 1.9)—we can look to see the face of God—the face of our Lord Jesus Christ, exalted in glory (2 Cor. 4.6, 16-18).
David expected to see the face of the Lord in his day, with the eye of faith, of course (v. 15; cf. Ps. 27.4, 8, 9). We may do the same (Eph. 1.15-21), but not without searching the Scriptures diligently to discover what we can about Him, seated at the right hand of God. But David also expected to see the face of God when he woke up in glory (v. 15). We do as well (1 Jn. 3.1-3).
The first face we will see when we pass from this life will be the face of Jesus. Let us strain with the eye of the heart to see Him here and now, as fully as we can, and to know with anticipation the joy we will experience when we see Him there and then.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
To be more like Jesus, to daily be changing into His likeness, is the greatest desire of our heart.
What could be more important? What could be more fulfilling? What could be more purposeful?
Nothing. Nothing. And again, nothing.
But to experience this metamorphosis will take work and severe cooperation with the Holy Spirit.
“You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and have found nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress” (Ps. 17.3).
“I have made a covenant with my eyes” …not to sin (Job 31.1).
“My heart is set on keeping Your decrees to the very end” (Ps. 119.112 NIV).
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties; and
See if there is any wicked way in me, and
Lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139.23, 24).
“Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Ps. 119.11).
We can’t sit back and rest on our laurels, knowing that we are redeemed, rejoicing in that fact, but then doing nothing to “work out your own salvation in fear and trembling” (Phil. 2.12). We don’t work to be saved; we work because we are saved (Eph. 2.8-10).
How glorious, it would be, to say with Paul: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4.6-8).
“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus…” (Heb. 12.1).
Running into His likeness takes purpose of heart, mind, soul, and strength; and a determined determination to be like Jesus. It is our goal. It is our one heart’s desire. And then to see His face.
“I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved” (Ps. 16.8).
Jesus the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy Presence rest.
(Bernard of Clairvaux, 1150)Reflection
1. How has Jesus been changing you into His likeness lately?
2. When, in prayer and meditation, you set your mind on Christ, how do you see Him? What do you see?
3. Whom will you encourage today to “run into His likeness”?
“To behold God’s face” is nothing else than to have a sense of his fatherly favor, with which he not only causes us to rejoice by removing our sorrows but also transports us even to heaven. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Psalm 17.15
Pray Psalm 17.8-15.
Pray for believers everywhere who are being persecuted for their faith. Pray that they and you will see the glory in Jesus’ face (2 Cor. 4.6) and be encouraged to stand firm for the Gospel. Pray that the Lord will come soon so that we may see Him as He is (1 Jn. 3.1-3).
Sing Psalm 17.8-15.
(Park Street: All You That Fear Jehovah’s Name )
Treasure me in Your holy eye; shelter me from a troubling sky.
Around me all my enemies eagerly would despoil me,
eagerly would despoil me.
They their unfeeling hearts have closed, while with their mouths they loudly boast.
They set their eyes to cast us down, roaring and lurking all around,
roaring and lurking all around.
Rise up, O LORD, and bring them low! Brandish Your sword, and save my soul!
With children they are satisfied; treasures fulfill their hope and pride,
treasures fulfill their hope and pride.
But as for me, LORD, save and bless! Let me behold Your righteousness.
Your face in glory I would see, and thus forever blessèd be,
and thus forever blessèd be.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
For more teaching about the subject of this series, “Jesus throughout the Scriptures”, download our free ReVision study, “We Would See Jesus”, by clicking here.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
