Psalm 70: Already. Not Yet.

​Key Verse
4 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”
 
Meditation
Christians live in an already/ not yet kingdom. Jesus is already king of everything but has not yet fully consummated His kingdom. Jesus has already defeated death but death is not yet totally evicted from life. Jesus has already removed the penalty and power of sin but not yet fully removed the presence of sin. Christians must seek Jesus and trust His sovereign grace as we wait for the full consummation of His Kingdom.
 
Psalm 70 is virtually a direct copy of Psalm 40:13-17, emphasizing the tension of an already/ net yet deliverance. Psalm 40 celebrates deliverance beginning with, “I waited patiently for the Lord, he inclined and heard my cry…” Today’s repeated portion is a prayer of waiting, petitions for complete deliverance beginning with, “make haste to deliver me! Make haste to help me…” (1).  God has rescued. God will rescue. Christians must trust God’s sovereign grace and supreme timing.
 
The pressure of a fallen world and problems from the enemy are real. (vv. 2-3) Christians know the true enemy is defeated and Jesus is on the throne- making all things new (Revelation 21:1-6). Petitions (vv. 1-4) turn to praise (5) when God’s people seek Him through the pain, persecution, and problems of life. 
 
God alone is our help and deliverer. (5) God alone has saved us through the person and work of Jesus. God alone and will return to ultimately save His people and renew His world. God is faithful and you can trust Him. Rejoice in His rescue and be at peace knowing He will come again!
 
Today’s Reading
Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me! 2 Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! 3 Let them turn back because of their shame who say, “Aha, Aha!”
 
4 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” 5 But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!
 
Richly Dwelling
-Do you see the tension of Jesus’ already/ not yet salvation? How do you navigate this tension?
 
- Psalm 70 invites us to petition the Lord for the “not yet” portion of His rescue. Where do you, specifically, need to shift the focus of your faith to God and God alone- looking to Him alone for rescue?  
 
-The Psalmist reminds us that when we seek the Lord we will be glad, even when difficulties of life press in and fractures from our fallen world seem to dominate. As you seek the Lord, ask Him to restore your gladness. Now- pray for His sovereign grace to work this in your heart.
 
Key Verse
4 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”