January 24, 2017

APPLES AND SHADOWS

Psalm 17

Laura Devers
Tuesday's Devo

January 24, 2017

Tuesday's Devo

January 24, 2017

Central Truth

Even when faced with death, we have a safe refuge in the LORD and eternal hope in Him.

Key Verse | Psalm 17:8–9

Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
from the wicked who do me violence,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
(Psalm 17:8-9)

Psalm 17

In the Shadow of Your Wings

A Prayer of David.

Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry!
    Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
From your presence let my vindication come!
    Let your eyes behold the right!

You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,
    you have tested me, and you will find nothing;
    I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
    I have avoided the ways of the violent.
My steps have held fast to your paths;
    my feet have not slipped.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
    incline your ear to me; hear my words.
Wondrously show 1 17:7 Or Distinguish me by your steadfast love,
    O Savior of those who seek refuge
    from their adversaries at your right hand.

Keep me as the apple of your eye;
    hide me in the shadow of your wings,
from the wicked who do me violence,
    my deadly enemies who surround me.

10  They close their hearts to pity;
    with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11  They have now surrounded our steps;
    they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.
12  He is like a lion eager to tear,
    as a young lion lurking in ambush.

13  Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him!
    Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
14  from men by your hand, O LORD,
    from men of the world whose portion is in this life. 2 17:14 Or from men whose portion in life is of the world
You fill their womb with treasure; 3 17:14 Or As for your treasured ones, you fill their womb
    they are satisfied with children,
    and they leave their abundance to their infants.

15  As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
    when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Footnotes

[1] 17:7 Or Distinguish me by
[2] 17:14 Or from men whose portion in life is of the world
[3] 17:14 Or As for your treasured ones, you fill their womb

Dive Deeper | Psalm 17

We are surrounded by an enemy. In America, that looks like distraction and buying the lie that we can control our lives and provide for ourselves. Wherever we are, the devil is in hot pursuit of our minds and hearts—our lives.

Similarly, David cries out in this psalm for vindication and favor from the Lord. He starts the psalm by stating his defense to the Lord (verses 1-5), crying out for help and asking for the Lord to hear and answer him: "[A]ttend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!" (Verse 1b) 

David goes on to state that he has kept the Lord's commands and has actively pursued the Lord's path for his life, steering clear of evil. However, even though he has run after the Lord, he is still attacked and wrongly accused.

The next portion of the psalm is what the Lord convicts me of regularly. David directly asks the Lord for what he wants. He calls upon the Lord. Because David is in a true and real relationship with Him, he has confidence in coming to Him. (Verses 6-9) David then asks the Lord to confront his enemies so that He may subdue them. (Verse 13) Because there is no repentance seen, David asks for the defeat of his enemies. (Verses 10-14)

David recognizes that the Lord is for him, and he will be satisfied even if God does not save him in this instance and allows him to be captured or killed. Jesus came and died so that we may be restored to a right relationship with God and have assurance of salvation after we die. (Romans 8:31-39) Whether in life or in death, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:20-21) Just as David started this psalm with confidence in approaching the Lord, we can have confidence, as we begin and end our days, that God wants to hear from His children and He is approachable and kind. (John 1:12; Hebrews 4:14-16)

Discussion Questions

1. What problem or circumstance do you need to bring to the Lord in prayer?

2. What hinders you from confidently approaching His throne in prayer?

3. Do you believe that God is for you? If no one else was for you or on your side, would the Lord be enough to satisfy you?

4. If the devil were going to take you out, how would he do it?