In Psalm 64, David describes some who “hold fast to their evil purpose.” Hearts, having been anchored to the wrong things, are now filled with and fueled by a purpose that dishonors their Creator and harms the people around them. That’s the sad situation described throughout the first six verses of Psalm 64. Dread of the enemy. Secret plots of the wicked. The throng of evildoers. Those who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, shooting from ambush at the blameless. Secretly laid snares. Searchers for and participators in injustice, all while thinking to themselves and saying to each other, “Who can see?” The inward mind and heart of a man are deep, and those depths have been filled with all the wrong things.
After reminding himself and his readers that we are all accountable to the God who sees everything, including all that we may try to hide (64:7-8), a different sort of purpose is highlighted by David in Psalm 64:9-10.
Then all mankind fears;
they tell what God has brought about
and ponder what he has done.
Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD
and take refuge in him!
Let all the upright in heart exult!
This is life the way it was meant to be. Think about the progression…
As I hear what God has brought about throughout (and even before) the history of mankind, my heart is filled with fearful respect. I’m moved to pay attention to and ponder what the Lord of heaven and earth has accomplished. This hearing and pondering ought to move me to do whatever is necessary to be declared “righteous” in the eyes of a God who has already done so much for me. His grace, mercy, and steadfast love compels me to “rejoice in the LORD,” but that’s not just a Sunday thing. As a way of life, I’m driven to “take refuge in him,” to live “uprightly” and devote the rest of my time on earth to “exulting,” a Bible word that means to joyfully delight in, enthusiastically praise, and give glory to God.
Every single person on the planet is holding fast to some purpose. What about you? What’s the purpose you’re anchored to and participating in? Is it life the way it was meant to be? Here’s the bottom line: if I want to be held fast by God, I can’t hold fast to an evil purpose. But if I will hold fast to what is good (1 Thes 5:21-22), firmly anchoring myself to the confession of hope in God without wavering, he who promised is faithful (Heb 10:23), and he will hold me fast.
What’s the purpose you’re anchored to and participating in? Is it worth it? And will it carry you where you really want to go?