Psalm 7
Lord God I take refuge in you
From my pursuer save and rescue me
Lest he tear me to pieces like a lion
and drag me off with no one to rescue me
Lord God if my hands have done wrong
if I have paid back evil for good
I who saved my unjust oppressor
Then let my foe pursue me and seize me
let him trample my life to the ground
and lay my soul in the dust
Lord rise up in your anger
rise against the fury of my foes
my God awake you will give judgement
Let the company of nations gather round you
taking your seat above them on high
The Lord is judge of the peoples
Give judgement for me Lord I am just
And innocent of heart
Put an end to the evil of the wicked
Make the just stand firm
You who test mind and heart
O just God
God is the shield that protects me
who saves the upright heart
God is a just judge
slow to anger
But he threatens the wicked every day
men who will not repent
God will sharpen the sword
he has braced his bow and taken aim
For them he has prepared deadly weapons
he barbs his arrows with fire
Here is one who is pregnant with malice
conceives evil and brings forth lies
He digs a pitfall digs it deep
and in the trap he has made he will fall
His malice will recoil on himself
on his own head his violence will fall
I will thank the Lord for his justice
I will sing to the Lord the most high
Have you ever been accused of something that you did not do? By someone who had more influence than you? And did the person they told believe their tale over your truth? If you have then you may be able to understand what David is going through in this Psalm.
Biblical historians seem to think that Cush the Benjaminite was a member of King Saul's court and that he accused David of something that he, apparently, didn't do. He's in a tight spot, he knows that Cush has power over Saul and that Saul may likely believe Cush over David. David has almost nowhere to turn, but he can still turn to God. David recognizes that he isn't alone in his struggle, that God enters into that struggle alongside him, and focusing on that can bring peace and strength.
This is true not just when there are unfounded accusations against you but in every struggle that you are in the midst of. Perhaps you are grieving the loss of a loved one or a job or your preferred future, and you need to step into God’s presence for comfort and healing. On the other hand, we usually don’t seem to think that struggles can be both negative and positive, so, perhaps you are actually in the midst of an opportunity, or there is a new baby right around the corner, or a new marriage, or a new job, but you are not sure if you are ready for it and you need to step into God’s presence for reassurance. In both cases God is there and is ready to receive you, as Jesus says, the one who seeks, finds.
+ In your struggles [both positive and negative] do you remember that God is with you? If yes, do you turn to God in those times? If no, why do you think it's difficult to believe that God is there and that God cares?
No comments:
Post a Comment