To You, O Lord, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, For if You are
silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit. Hear
the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, When I lift
up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary {vv. 1-2}.
God’s holy
sanctuary. David does not neglect the sanctuary for it is where he finds God’s
presence and is filled with grace. Let us boldly enter the throne of grace {Heb.
4:16}. Don’t forget the sanctuary, run to God and as you lift your
hands in worship—like David—you too will find the grace you need. God
has manifested himself to man in His word, so when we are afflicted we can fix our
hearts on Him. God should be the object of our faith, hope, and prayer. The
Lord encourages us through his servant the prophet, “Call to Me and I will
answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do
not know” {Jer. 33: 3}. He is our Rock—“there is no rock like our God”
{1 Sam. 2:2}.
Do not drag me away with the wicked And with those who work
iniquity, Who speak peace with their neighbors, While evil is in their
hearts. Requite them according to their work and
according to the evil of their practices; Requite them according to the deeds
of their hands; Repay them their recompense. Because they do not
regard the works of the Lord Nor
the deeds of His hands, He will tear them down and not build them up {vv.
3-5}.
We all have people who say they
love us. They promise to be our friend for life—that they have our back—only to
find that they stab us in the back when it serves their purpose. David
experienced many such people. He knew their actions to be wicked and he prayed
that he would not be swept away with them and suffer their punishment. He
didn’t want to be punished along with them and I think, he also did not want to
get swept away by the same behavior. He did not want to love people to their
face yet turn his back on them when it served him. He knows the Lord warns
against being double minded and unstable{James
1:5-8}.
Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the voice of my supplication. The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts
in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I
shall thank Him. The Lord is their strength,
And He is a saving defense to His anointed. Save Your people and
bless Your inheritance; Be their shepherd also, and carry them
forever {vv. 6-9}.
David always follows his prayers
with praise to God knowing that He will answer. Yahweh is faithful to him.
Yahweh is always faithful when we pray. The outcome may not be what we asked
for but He will always answer with exactly what we need.
David declares that the Lord is His strength and shield.
Strength is often associated with the Ark of the Covenant, the pure gold ark
symbolized the presence of God. It was also a reminder that He is the covenant-keeping
God. The cherubim who adorned the lid of the
ark symbolized strength and power. They were assigned to guard the Garden of
Eden with flaming swords after Adam and Eve were exiled. The glorious sound of
their wings is likened to the voice of God Almighty when He speaks {Ezek.
10:5}. A sound so loud and marvelous it was heard in the outer court of
the temple. They surround the throne of God in Revelation. They bring fear and
awe and yet they are not as strong and powerful as Yahweh. The Lord is David’s
strength and He is our strength as well. He is a strong tower for us to run and
find refuge. God is not only David’s strength, He is also a refuge. He is a
fortress of salvation for His anointed—here it is referring to David or one of
the priests—now it is for all of us. Salvation is available to all who will run
to Him.
The Tabernacle in the wilderness had many covers
of protection. They protected from storms and weather. They protected from
wild animals and intruders. This represents God protecting His anointed people.
We can run to Him for protection and safety. He is faithful and trustworthy. He
will never leave us or forsake us. Don’t be complacent in your relationship
with the Lord though. David worshiped Him and trusted and believed in Him. He
promises to be with us always, but we must do our part. Worship is the key to
God moving in your life. Cultivate a life of prayer and a life of worship. He
is our Shepherd
and will give us rest.
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