Page 69 - The Poetic Books - Student Text

7.5 Let’s Personalize this Lesson….

The emphasis on Christ in the Psalms is important for our lives, our teaching of others, and our
worship. We must be vigilant to keep God as our refuge and to teach others to do the same.
Many pitfalls distract us. Confidence in self or in ability or in modern technology or in personal
goodness or any number of parts of God’s creation can move us from taking refuge in God
alone. A degree of genuine trust may exist, yet trust directed toward other sources will
evaporate when difficulties come. As the psalms warn constantly of the difficulties of life and point to
the great God who overcomes them, we must prepare ourselves by a rigorous trust in God. A child’s
desperate grasp for a strong hand illustrates the concept.

When I lost my footing as a little boy in the undertow of Daytona Beach, I felt as if I
were going to be dragged to the middle of the ocean in an instant. It was a terrifying
thing. I tried to get my bearings and figure out which way was up. But I couldn’t get my
feet on the ground and the current was too strong to swim. I wasn’t a good swimmer
any way. In my panic I thought of only one thing: Could someone help me? But I couldn’t
even call out from under the water. When I felt my father’s hand take hold of my upper
arm like a mighty vice trip, it was the sweetest feeling in the world. I yielded entirely to
being overpowered by his strength. I reveled in being picked up at his will. I did not
resist. The thought did not enter my mind that I should try to show that things aren’t so
bad; or that I should add my strength to my Dad’s arm. All I thought was, Yes! I need
you! I thank you! I love your strength! I love your initiative! I love your grip! You are
great! In that spirit of yielded affection one cannot boast. I call that yielded affection
“faith.”
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When we open Psalms, we have the opportunity to learn through the lives of many others about seeking
refuge in Yahweh. Situation after situation is presented, along with the emotions of the writers. Their
doubts and fears are on display. Sometimes they record how God rescued them. Sometimes we are left
in the middle of unresolved frustration. In every setting, in psalm after psalm, we are pointed to the only
great God. The Psalms teach us of his provision for our salvation in his Son, the Messiah King. We do well
to listen carefully, to memorize, and to incorporate as much as possible into our lives. May we say daily,
“I need you! I thank you! I love your strength! You are great!”

Through the centuries the church has constantly been inventing new ways to praise God. The forms are
different, coming out of different cultures and languages. Yet the content should be the same. Any form,
whether hymn or praise song, Western or African song, can express good theology. The challenge is to
pay attention to good theology expressed in the “heart language” of any given people group. The danger
is in shallow expression.

113 John Piper, Future Grace, 187.
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