Sabbath, July 27 – Psalms 60, 75

1. What conditions precede true “restoration?” Psalms 60:1

2. What are the sins of those whom God declares as “wicked,” whom He will “judge,” and whom He will “dissolve?” Psalms 75:4, 5

3. Who are those who receive God’s “banner?” Psalms 60:4

Commentary and Reflection:

The only way up is by going down. The lower we go, the higher God can lift us up. “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.” “When I am weak, then I am strong” (James 4:10; 2 Corinthians 12:10). It is not until we allow God to “break us” down that He can “restore” us into His image. We must “die daily.” “if it dies, it produces much grain.” (1 Corinthians 15:31; John 12:24)

Those whom God declares as “wicked” are those who don’t see their need for death. They are “boastful,” proud, “lifted up,” “stiff-necked,” self-exalted, and rely on their own human strength, which is “useless.” “Do not be haughty, but fear. …God may not spare you” (Romans 11:20,21). Insecurities, fears, and worries are just as much self-interest as is pride.

So how do we die to self? Simply accept the fact that we are already dead. “We were buried with Him,” “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him,” “we died with Christ,” “reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin,” “I have been crucified with Christ.” (Romans 6:4,6,8,11; Galatians 2:20)

What is the end result of daily accepting our death to self, and of being “restored” to the image of God, being “healed,” being “saved by God’s right hand,” of being “delivered?” It is: “doing valiantly,” “overcomes the world,” “not falling… faultless,” “without spot and blameless,” able to “do all things through Christ,” “righteousness,” “walking in newness of life,” “no longer be slaves of sin,” “freed from sin,” “not letting sin reign in your mortal body,” “sin shall not have dominion over you,” “does not sin,” “being partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world.” (1 John 5:4,5)

Those who receive God’s “banner” are those who “fear God.” What does it mean to “fear God?” It is much more than just respect. It is, fearing to disappoint Him, fearing hurting Him, fearing to “crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and putting Him to an open shame.” (Philippians 4:13; Romans 6:4,6,7,11,14; 1 John 3:9, 2 Peter 1:4) “How could I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9) Truly fearing God, truly sensing our utter helplessness without Him, will cause us to run to Him, to fall on Him, to be “helped” by Him, to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind,” and it will make us a “new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Are you willing to confess your self-dependence, pride and arrogance, insecurities, fears, and worries? Are you ready to surrender all, to submit to God – and God alone – to accept your death in Him, to acknowledge your utter nothingness and helplessness without Him? Then do so now.

Do you choose to love God so much that you fear hurting Him, disappointing Him, letting Him down, sinning against Him, and crucifying Him again?

Are you willing to accept the power of the Holy Spirit to live in your emptied flesh, to empower you, to transform you, to change you, to give you victory over every sin, every temptation? Then claim His power now.