9 Dec 2016, Psalm 17 诗篇 17, Plead for Justice 祈求公义

Posted on Dec 6, 2016 in Devotions, Psalms |

Scripture Reading  : Psalm 17

Theme                      : Plead for Justice

 

  1. Appeal to Truth (1–5). The psalmist is not saying he is perfect, neither is he promoting legalism. He is not talking about his legal standing/righteousness before God, but is referring to his practical righteousness. God is a righteous God who punishes evil deeds and rewards righteous deeds (Deut. 28). He will protect the upright and cast down violent people.
  1. Appeal to Love (6–9). The psalmist does not just appeal to his uprightness, but also to God’s love. His assurance of protection is based on the love of God.
  1. Longing of the Violent (10–14). The wicked is without pity and lives for worldly pleasure. They are only consumed with portions/treasures of this world. Such earthly mind leads them to kill and destroy (Col. 3:5-6).
  1. Longing of the Righteous (15). The righteous long for God and to be like God in His righteousness. Because of their right desires, God will satisfy their desires when they are awake/resurrected from the dead (Matt. 5:6).


Praying the Scripture

Believers should be characterized by the pursuit of the noblest things on earth. One noble pursuit is being like God. The word godly means to be like God. Since God’s character is the greatest, we ought to emulate His great character and be satisfied with that. Those who are characterized by the pursuit of worldly things like riches, fame, and temporary, earthly rewards will be judged by God and get the opposite of what they pursue. Only the thirst of the righteous will be satisfied. The thirst of the unrighteous will not be satisfied, but will be judged. Prosperity gospel destroys noble pursuits.
 
 
 
 

经文：诗篇17

主题：祈求公义

 

  1. 因真理祈求（1-5）。诗人并非说他是完美的；他也不是在提倡律法主义。他指的不是自己在神面前的律法定位，而是他所行的义。神是惩罚罪恶，奖赏义行的公义之神（申28）。祂会保护义人，并撇下强暴者。
  1. 因爱祈求（6-9）。诗人不只按他的公义祈求，还按神的慈爱祈求。他是凭着神的慈爱晓得他必得到保全。
  1. 强暴人的渴望（10-14）。恶人无怜悯之心，只为世俗享乐而活。他们满脑子只有这世上的财宝。这种世俗的想法只会导致他杀害、消灭他人（西3:5-6）。
  1. 义人的渴望（15）。义人渴望的是神，并渴望像神一样公义。因着他们正确的思想，神会在他们重生的时候满足他们的渴望（太5:6）。

 

用经文祷告

信徒的其中一个标准是对世上最伟大之事的追求；其中之一是渴望像神。“敬虔”之义就是像神一样。既然神的品格是最伟大的，他们当效法祂伟大的品德，并满足于此。只追求世俗之事的，如财富、名誉和世上暂时性的奖赏，将受到神的审判，最终所得的也将恰恰相反。唯有义人的渴慕将得到满足。不义之人的渴望将不会被填满，只会受到审判。致富福音消灭了对伟大之事的追求。