January 23, 2009
In god we trust
Psalm 17
George Foiles
Central Truth
Sometimes our journey through life can be very scary and painful. Even in our trials, however, we need wholeheartedly to trust the outcome to our Father in Heaven, who has accomplished the ultimate victory over sin by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Key Verse | Psalm 17:7
Accomplish awesome, faithful deeds, you who powerfully deliver those who look to you for protection from their enemies. (Psalm 17:7)
Psalm 17
In the Shadow of Your Wings
A Prayer of David.
1
Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
2
From your presence let my vindication come!
Let your eyes behold the right!
3
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.
4
With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5
My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.
6
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7
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.
8
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9
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.
Dive Deeper | Psalm 17
Reading about David's life through the book of 1 Samuel gave me great insight about why he wrote Psalm 17. What an adventurous life he led! It's possible that David actually prayed this psalm during a scary, narrow escape from King Saul (1 Samuel 23:25-29). Just when Saul and his men were closing in on David, Saul was distracted from his pursuit, allowing David to escape. It's one of those moments your heart tells you that God orchestrated the "distraction."
As I read more about David's life, I discovered that he lived a courageous life, and his heart always longed to please God. He continually remembered how God protected him and promised to direct his journey (1 Samuel 17:37). He didn't look at God as someone he "ought" to follow, but as a Father who loved him and wanted to guide him through his earthly life. He believed God had his best interest at heart (even through the doorway of death), and he would see God face to face at the end of his journey (Psalm 17:15).
In contrast, Saul was easily distracted, impetuous, reckless, and more concerned to please people than God (1 Samuel 15:10-30). He was continually impatient with God to act, he took matters into his own hands, and he walked down paths that were contrary to God's will for his life. These acts eventually destroyed his life.
I know that my heart is often afraid of emotional pain, paralyzing me from pursuing relationships. In those times my behavior becomes like Saul's, but the Bible says our Father in Heaven wants us to come to Him as we struggle through this life (Acts 17:27-31). Even though David's request in this psalm seemed to be based on his innocence, I now believe he acted rightly by going to His Father confidently for help. The tone of his appeal was just an outworking of his close relationship.
A trusting, obedient, loving relationship with our Heavenly Father. That's what David had. Isn't that the answer to living a great life on this earth?
Discussion Questions
1. How do you react during times of discomfort in your life?
2. What are some needs/wants in your life (think big) that you doubt God will provide?
3. Thinking back, what are some situations that you thought would never work out, but God provided a solution?
4. What does a trusting, obedient, loving relationship with God mean to you? What does the God of the Bible say about such a relationship?