“My faithfulness and unfailing love will be with him, and by my authority he will grow in power. I will extend his rule over the sea, his dominion over the rivers. And he will call out to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’” (Psalm 89:24–26, NLT)

This psalm is an ode to David and a celebration of God’s promises to him. The psalmist recalls the wonderful promises God made to David to anoint, strengthen, and give him an everlasting dynasty. Clearly, these promises were not all fulfilled in David.

“I will preserve an heir for him; his throne will be as endless as the days of heaven.” (Psalm 89:29, NLT)

After being king for forty years, David died. But one of his heirs will sit on his throne forever. This obviously refers to Jesus Christ, the Son of David, who will return after the Great Tribulation to reign in Jerusalem for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).

David was a man after God’s own heart, and yet he was not perfect. He sinned with Bathsheba and in numbering the people. And many of his sons sinned worse than him. Therefore, God would discipline them.

“But if his descendants forsake my instructions and fail to obey my regulations, if they do not obey my decrees and fail to keep my commands, then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their disobedience with beating. But I will never stop loving him nor fail to keep my promise to him.” (Psalm 89:30–33, NLT)

In the last part of the psalm, Ethan the Ezrahite complains to God about their situation.

“But now you have rejected him and cast him off. You are angry with your anointed king. You have renounced your covenant with him; you have thrown his crown in the dust.” (Psalm 89:38–39, NLT)

God was disciplining His people for their disobedience just as He said He would. Many people love God’s promises to love, bless and strengthen. They hold fast to these as they should. But do they also “claim” God’s promises to punish sin with the rod? Jesus said that those whom He loves He rebukes and disciplines (Revelation 3:19). If we are being disciplined by God…if He is taking us out to the woodshed…does this mean He doesn’t love us? Not at all! Only children who are unloved are never disciplined. And yet when God does take the rod to us, how do we respond? Are we among the wise who receive a rebuke? (Proverbs 15:31) Or are we those who hate correction and are stupid? (Proverbs 12:1)

“It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.” (Ecclesiastes 7:5, NKJV)

We must cling to all the promises of God and consider both His kindness and severity (Romans 11:22). That is the way of protection, provision, and peace.