In The Word
Read Psalm 17
Prayer for Protection against Oppressors.
A Prayer of David.
17 Hear a just cause, O Lord, give heed to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.
2 Let my judgment come forth from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look with equity.
3 You have tried my heart;
You have visited me by night;
You have tested me and You find nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 As for the deeds of men, by the word of Your lips
I have kept from the paths of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to Your paths.
My feet have not slipped.
6 I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.
7 Wondrously show Your lovingkindness,
O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand
From those who rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye;
Hide me in the shadow of Your wings
9 From the wicked who despoil me,
My deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They have closed their unfeeling heart,
With their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now surrounded us in our steps;
They set their eyes to cast us down to the ground.
12 He is like a lion that is eager to tear,
And as a young lion lurking in hiding places.
13 Arise, O Lord, confront him, bring him low;
Deliver my soul from the wicked with Your sword,
14 From men with Your hand, O Lord,
From men of the world, whose portion is in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your treasure;
They are satisfied with children,
And leave their abundance to their babes.
15 As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness;
I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
We see a great boldness in David’s prayer today in this passage. First, he opened by saying that his cause was just and right. David declared this with confidence because he knew he had done everything to keep his heart in full view of the Lord, not hiding anything. He proved this by confessing that his heart, mouth, and actions had not sinned. David understood that God knows all, even during the darkness of night. Second, David asked to be kept as the apple of God’s eye and to be hidden in God’s protective covering from his enemy. This showed humility and dependence upon God and not in the strength of man. Third, David took it beyond just a request for protection; he boldly asked God to rise and take action against the enemy on his behalf. This passage closes out with a declaration of being satisfied completely in God’s plan by not chasing after the things of the world.
David gives us this example so that we can live our life in a way that our heavenly Father can search us anytime day or night and then move on our behalf. Today, let us choose to keep an attitude of being satisfied with God alone. We must not look to the things of the world or take the path of the world, which is temporal. Is your relationship with God like David’s? Can you approach Him in boldness and confidence with humility and reverence? Search your heart and ask God to strengthen a confident relationship with Him.