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Music For the Soul
Devotional: October 4th

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THE CERTAINTY OF VICTORY

But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall be given over to the power of the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God: every one that sweareth by Him shall glory: for the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. - Psalms 63:9-11

This last portion of the psalm describes one consequence of pressing after God. The soul thus cleaving and following is gifted with a prophetic certainty. " Those that seek my soul are destined for destruction" (so is the probable rendering); "they shall go into the lower parts of the earth " - swallowed up like Korah and his rebellious company. "They shall each be given up to the power of the sword" (as the words might be rendered); "they shall be a portion for foxes" (or jackals as the word means). Their unburied bodies shall lie in the wilderness, and the jackals shall tear and devour. David regarded his enemies as God’s enemies. David’s point of view permitted him to exult with a stern but not unrighteous joy in their destruction. But these words are not prayer nor imprecation, but prophecy and the insight of a soul conscious of union with God, and therefore assured that everything which stands in the way of its possession of the God whom it loves is destined for annihilation.

And, disengaging the words from the mere husk and shell of Old Testament experience, all of us, if we cleave to God, may have this confidence, that nothing can hinder our fellowship with God, and that whatsoever stands in the way of our closer union with Him shall be swept out of the way. David’s certainty of the destruction of his foes is the same triumphant assurance, on a lower spiritual level, as Paul’s trumpet blast of victory: " Who shall separate us from the love of God? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" "Nay, in all these things," - and overall these things, - "we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us."

There is the other side of this prophetic certainty here. "The King shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by Him shall glory." He and his faithful followers shall realise a Divine deliverance, which shall be the subject of their praise; and the adversary’s lips shall be sealed with silence, their vindication shall stick in their throat, and they shall be dumb before the judgment of Almighty God. That confidence, too, may stand as a symbol of the certainty of hope which refreshes the soul which seeks and possesses God, even in the wilderness, and while compassed with sorrows and fears. We, too, may find in our present union with God a prophecy, fixed and firm as the pillars of His throne, of our future kingly dignity, and rapturous joy in Him. It is reserved not for us only, but for all whose lips confessed Him on earth and shall therefore be opened to lift up before Him triumphant praise, which shall drown the discords of opposing voices, and no more be broken by sobs or weeping.

My brother! we are all thirsty. Do you know what it is that makes you restless? Do you know who it is that you need? Listen to Him that says, "If any man thirst, let Him come to Me, and drink." Choose whether you will thirst with mad and aimless cravings, and perish in a dry land; or whether you will come to the " Fountain of Life in Christ your Saviour, and slake your thirst at God Himself."

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