May 30, 2025 - Psalm 52-55

A theme that David comes back to over and over is the steadfast love of God.  In Psalm 52, he draws a contrast between the one who refuses to look to God and the one who rests securely in him:  “See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!  But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.  I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever” (52:7,8).  God is just always there!  His love never ceases.  In fact, God's love is so steadfast and consistent, I sometimes have the tendency take it for granted.  I know I do!  “Oh, God will be there.  He's not going anywhere.”  How ungrateful and sinful I am at times.  My heart can break when I think of how easily I can ignore God, who never ignores me, and who always is beside me.  What a joy, though, to run to him!  Oh, that I would never have to run to him; rather, that I would never run from him and, thus, always abide in his fellowship.

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved” (55:22).

If you but trust in God to guide you

and place your confidence in him,

you’ll find him always there beside you

to give you hope and strength within;

for those who trust God's changeless love

build on the rock that will not move.

Only be still and wait his pleasure

in cheerful hope with heart content.

He fills your needs to fullest measure

with what discerning love has sent;

doubt not our inmost wants are known

to him who chose us for his own.   -- Georg Neumark (1641)