READ Psalm 78:65–72.65
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, as a warrior wakes from the stupor of wine. 66 He beat back his enemies; he put them to everlasting shame. 67 Then he rejected the tents of Joseph, he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim; 68 but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loved. 69 He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth that he established forever. 70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; 71 from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. 72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
HE CHOSE DAVID.
This psalm ends on a high note. It tells how, despite Israel’s disobedience, God built his temple (verses 68–69) and chose a leader, David, to be the shepherd-king (verses 70–71). But we know that, contrary to the hopes of the psalmist, history did repeat itself, and the line of Davidic kings failed to obey God as well. The human race required a greater King, the descendant of David who was prophesied (1 Samuel 7:11–18), the Savior who was the final temple and sacrifice for sin (John 2:19–21; Hebrews 9:11–14). Jesus is our true Shepherd-King. Only he is wise and skillful enough to direct your life. Don’t entrust yourself to the hands of any other, not even your own. Trust yourself to him and you shall not want.
Prayer: Lord, I confess my overconfidence. I don’t feel like a sheep that needs a shepherd to do absolutely everything for it, but I am. I rely on my own wisdom, my career and bank account, my well-connected friends instead of on you. You, my great shepherd, are my only security. I put myself in your hands. Amen.
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