HIGHLIGHT
Psalm 65:12–13 (ESV): 12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, 13 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.
EXPLAIN
Psalms 63-65 may not have been written in chronological order, but they provide interesting comparison and contrast.
In Psalm 63, David was in the wilderness of Judah, longing for God’s presence. He chose to worship God and so expressed confidence that those who sought to destroy him would experience destruction.
In Psalm 64, David expressed his complaint to God, asking God to preserve his life from the enemy. David described their attacks as ambushes, mounting sudden, secret, evil attacks upon him. But David expressed his confidence that God would shoot his own arrows at the wicked and they would be brought to ruin.
In Psalm 65, we now find a psalm of praise in which vows would be performed to God in the house of worship. God was described as the one who established the mountains and stilled the roaring of the seas. Now God would visit the earth with water, causing the crops to grow abundantly.
APPLY
God allows us to traverse dark, dreadful valleys in our lives. Indeed, sometimes, God allows us to be chased into barren wildernesses. But for the one who seeks God faithfully, God blesses.
God’s blessing should not necessarily be equated with worldly riches, although that may be a result. The greatest blessing we receive from walking faithfully with God is the confidence of his presence, in good times and bad.
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, thank you for your abundant blessings upon my life. They are too numerous to list. But thank you especially for the assurance of salvation, growth in Christ, and the confidence of your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.