“Lord, Remember David” (Ps 132)

“Lord, remember David and all his afflictions; how he swore to the Lord, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: ‘Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house, or go up to the comfort of my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” (vs1-5).

God made promises to David, and He fulfilled them in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  He says, “Lord, remember David in all his affliction”, and, “For Your servant David’s sake, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed (the Christ)”.  He built God a house through Solomon, and God honored it.  He said, “The Lord has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it: ‘I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body. If your sons will keep My covenant (believe the gospel) and My testimony which I shall teach them, their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever”.  Now, He will bless you and me, because Messiah sits exalted to save others (Acts 2:29-33).

We bless God that salvation is by promise, freely given to us, and based upon what Jesus would do (Ps 132:2-5). He came into the world, obeyed God, and died a substitute for all that the Father gave Him (John 17:1-2).  He redeemed us by His blood, earned salvation, and it is 100% up to God. He promised it, Christ died for it, and He will do it by the Spirit’s power, and not ours.  What blessedness this is!  To know that God is your Savior and to look to Him confidently for everything, because He promised, purchased, and has power, is to REST your soul in unspeakable joy, peace, and boldness!

Just as God remembered David, He’ll remember us (vs13-17). He says, “For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: ‘This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it”.  He sits in the mercy seat amidst His church saying, “I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.  I will also clothe here priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.  There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed”.   

Salvation isn’t getting God into a saving mood; it is BELIEVING the promise of His great willingness and receiving what Christ died to freely give.  Salvation is by faith; it is going to God in the merit of Jesus Christ, and saying, “Lord, You’ve promised this for Jesus’ sake. You’ve said that You will care for me, both spiritually and physically, so I depend upon You.  I have Jesus the Son at Your right hand, proving that He’s been accepted for sinners, and I come to you through Him saying, ‘Bless, and do what you have said!”  This glorifies God and brings goodness to us, so be fully assured.

What is your relationship with God?  What do you do in your need?  Do you look to yourself and say, “I will bring down the blessing by myself”, or do you say, “Christ has brought down the blessings. I will receive them freely” (Rom 10:5-9)?  

I see sinners, tossed about and burdened, trying to appease their conscience, trying to please God with works, but they haven’t yet rested in the finished work of Christ and God’s goodness by Him!  They think God is One to be charmed, rather than One who loves, and they miss the gospel while “earning” what He must freely give.  We can indebt God. We  must receive from His hands without any merit or strength.  We must believe He’s good enough to love us, because whoever calls on the Lord’s name shall be saved.  We must believe the blood of Christ, because God raised His Son to the throne, and highly exalted Him, as promised David, foreseeing Christ’s obedience.  Salvation, from start to finish, is God’s work.  

Finally, when you look at Christ and the promises, rejoice. He is good to you, so put away the fearfulness and anxiety.  Rest yourself in His love. He will care for you, even when you can’t see how, so praise Him and walk boldly with God.  He’s remembered David (His promises), He’s exalted His Son the Anointed One, and He will care for us assuredly and forever.  Let nothing stop you from believing God.