Gold Nuggets, Or Growing Nuggets
Psalm 35
A great friend made me aware of a television history program called "The Curse Of Oak Island". It follows a search for treasure, gold, silver, or as one of the brothers heading up the search explains, more importantly how and why the unique tunnel system was built 150 feet underground on this North Atlantic island hundreds of years ago to hide and protect the treasure. Two different perspectives for treasure hunting. When we read God's Word how important it is to define what we are really looking for, what we're hoping God will show us, open up to us. Are we looking for treasure of gold and silver or are we looking for the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that Solomon spoke of so often in the Proverbs as being worth so much more than gold and silver?
At this time in these meditations I am exploring the life and nature of Jesus on the fully man side of His life. Could He, even would He pray each psalm as His own prayer, His own thoughts. The deeper I pursue this the more I am much more aware for myself, definitely fully man, being challenged in the thought of could I, and would I possibly pray this psalm for myself? Definitely it is putting in my heart, mind, and soul something God can use to change me. It's not a treasure hunt to display bright shiny treasure, golden nuggets, but knowledge and personal change in my heart, life, and spirit, nuggets to grow me in God.
Cruel witnesses did rise up: they asked of me things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good, to have spoiled my soul.
Psalms 35:11 - 12 GNV
Certainly David faced this as he describes his struggle. This I can relate to as well. But what I asked myself was, was Jesus ever asked questions He didn't know the answer and needed more help to figure out the answer, that would cause Him to go to His Father in prayer? Also, we might query the difference between this being just an adversity as opposed to being a temptation? After all we're not told He faced all the conditions and adversities we do as men, but rather was He tempted as we are tempted as men?
Yet I, when they were sick, I was clothed with a sack: I humbled my soul with fasting: and my prayer was turned upon my bosom. I behaved my self as to my friend, or as to my brother: I humbled my self, mourning as one that bewaileth his mother.
Psalms 35:13 - 14 GNV
Such an opposite reaction action is certainly one that Christ would follow. It is so interesting the last several days before the Passover when Jesus was betrayed that there was time and again His opponents on different sides each trying to trap Him in His Words asking difficult questions, trying to stump Him. Even now just considering those questions it comes to me how miserable a failure I would have been, questions I don't know the answers too, except by first hearing His answers.
This entire relationship between adversary and himself David describes:
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered them selves together: the abjects assembled themselves against me, and knew not: they tare me and ceased not,
For they speak not as friends: but they imagine deceitful words against the quiet of the land.
Psalms 35:15, 20 GNV
This does pretty much describe how the Jews, the Sadducees, Pharisees, each took turns trying Him to tangle His words, especially during His final days in the temple before going to the cross. At this moment I am reminded that Jesus told His disciples that what His adversaries were doing and had done they will do to you also. David felt this in himself what Jesus would encounter. How often we hear Jesus said these things implying them for all future believers, and yet to look backand see it be true for saints in the past as well.
May we not get bogged down in our growth thinking we have golden nuggets to display, but rather allow our growth to be shown. A nugget is something that was forged in the past. Our growth, as slow as it may be, is our lives being forged for the future that Christ may be seen in us.
But let them be joyful and glad, that love my righteousness: yea, let them say alway, Let the Lord be magnified, which loveth the prosperity of his servant. And my tongue shall utter thy righteousness, and thy praise every day.
Psalms 35:27 - 28 GNV