How should we respond when alone and facing our greatest peril?
In Psalm 16 David is trapped in a desperate place, longing for refuge and safety. We too find ourselves trapped in situations, often because of something we have done and now cannot escape.
David prays that God will save him (16:1). He then focuses on the good people he knows who are his delight (16:2), in contrast with the sorrows of those who run after false gods (16:3).
In our modern era, a good place for us to start is by asking if we have been leaning towards other gods, like media, addictions, or other distractions. Could this be the source of our current woes? We know from the Cycle that because of his never-ending love, God provides warning before judgment and rewards sincere repentance with restoration.
Remember honestly where you have been.
In Psalm 17, David continues his prayer for refuge from his enemies, but he says something that frankly I do not understand:
“…you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress” (17:3b, ESV).
This claim sounds more like Job to me than a humble David. It may be that in David’s younger days as Samuel’s anointed one, when David was pursued by Saul, David did not sin. But it was certainly not true later with Bathsheba. The ultimate power emanating from King David’s history is not that he was perfect, but that he showed repentance and he received restoration from God.
Psalm 18 was covered in 2 Samuel 22, so we will not repeat it here.
In Psalm 19:7-12, David offers a terrific view of the benefits of God’s law:
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
…the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
…the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
…the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
…the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
…the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
...sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” [1]
Dwell on these principles this week!
In doing so, don’t miss the final line in verse 12 above, because it emphasizes the Cycle – if we disobey, there is warning before judgment.
Apparently, this struck David, too, because after his Job-like claim of perfection, he quizzically asks in verse 12:
“Who can discern his [own] errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.”
Here we witness David’s transition from relatively innocent child to fallible adult. He senses that judgment may be near, but for God’s never-ending love.
In Psalm 20:5, David shouts for joy over God’s salvation, which is the divine product of repentance and restoration.
Psalm 21 concludes David’s moral ping-pong match with what we should remind ourselves every hour of every day, but especially when we face great difficulty:
“Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power” (21:13).
Remember to rely on the Lord’s promises, but also remember to rely on sincere repentance for our errors, both known and unrealized.
Freedom from the enemy awaits!
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 19:7–11). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.