I was catching up on my reading plan on youversion.com this morning and came across Psalm 17:13-15. I ended up wanting to discuss the passage with a friend to get their thoughts since I was a little caught off guard. I did and I learned something, so I wanted to share:
Upon initial reading, this passage kind of messed with me, making me wonder if I am looking forward to having kids one day too much...
13. Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
14. from men by your hand, O Lord,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their womb with treasure;
they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.
15.As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
My friend’s take was that the passage is basically declaring generations consequences for neglecting God’s calling. Saying that men of this world get their satisfaction from this world. Their joy is still here when they are gone because they have no eternal satisfaction. They get their fulfillment on earth but even their children will feel the wrath of God in the end.
It made me check my heart. Am I looking for my treasure to come in the form of a future family or do I find my portion and treasure in Jesus alone? Would I be completely satisfied in Him, if God chose to have a different plan for my life that didn’t include a family? Then my friend reminded me, Abraham had no family but had a desire for one and so, God blessed generations beyond generations through Abraham’s desires to have a family. Who am I to question if God will do the same for me?
I now have more confidence after reading this passage again and am thankful to have friends who can help process this stuff with me! Thanks Scott! I trust that God will give me those desires that come from Him as my mind backtracks to Psalm 37:4... the desires I have for a future family that include a husband whose affections are for Jesus and then for me and children that God will entrust us with to raise up with a passion to make Jesus’s name famous. Yes, I think I should check my heart every so often to make sure those desires are not in vain but when I find my treasure only in Him and when he is the only thing that fills my cup and is my portion, I know I can rest in the confidence that whatever his plans are for me, I will delight in those as he gives them.
