Call Out the Plumber

Answer me when I call to you
O my righteous God.

Psalm 4 v1

When you go to the doctor with an ailment you should not expect to walk out of the surgery cured. He will more than likely give you a prescription for a course of tablets and ask you to come back if it doesn't clear up. He may refer you to someone more qualified to treat your complaint. On the other hand, if you had a burst pipe in your house you would not expect the plumber to refer you to a specialist or give you a series of instructions, asking you to call back if the problem persists. You wouldn't expect to do anything yourself, other than to call him out and be there when he calls.

When David asks God for an answer he's expecting a plumber. "Give me relief from my distress" he says - stop the leak. "How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false Gods?" David has placed his hope in the LORD but his people are trusting in false Gods to meet their needs. They are using the cheap leaky pipes their Canaanite neighbours swear by. Any glory they might have received is shamefully pouring all over the floor yet the taps are dry. "Offer right sacrifices and turn to the LORD", David says. Don't put up with counterfeit goods, they will only let you down. "You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound," he proclaims. There's water everywhere but why drink out of muddy puddles when you can drink pure water from the tap. "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." What price, peace and safety. The genuine article usually costs more but it's worth it.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy", Jesus said, "but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven". "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also".

If you were going to a fancy restaurant for an expensive meal you wouldn't pop into McDonalds for a cheeseburger to keep you going, you'd save yourself. How many celebrities have had a bit on the side and wrecked their marriages and possibly their careers? David was as guilty as anyone for lusting after abundant, cheap wine but he knew that God could fill his heart with a greater joy because he was a man after God's own heart.

Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (c) 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission.

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