Lighthouse scribes

In this Psalm, David passionately seeks God’s intervention on a matter that has troubled him. Unlike in Psalms 3, where we read that his life was in danger, here, it is his reputation that is being dragged into the mud. For anyone, it’s a painful experience to have our reputation slandered and to be sneered at. It’s painful because we know it’s not true, yet we can’t do anything to stop it, no matter how much we speak up to counter the accusations. I love how David did not allow those words to define him, and he also did not ignore them. He took those problems to God (v1).

(v2b) How long will you [my enemies] love worthless (vain, futile) things and seek deception and lies?

(v3a) But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself [and dealt wonderfully with] the godly man.

(v4) and 5 go hand-in-hand. There is a way to approach God. He’s never upset about us bringing our fears, anger, pain, and neediness to him. Yet God is not one whose systems we call into question. Even if we are angry about what’s happening to us, we must be careful not to sin. David reminded himself not to let his emotions dictate his utterances. He thought deeply about the situation and quietened his heart. Then he offered sacrifices of righteousness and trusted God. The NLT says it like this: Offer sacrifices in the right spirit and trust the Lord. David wouldn’t hold these people in bitterness, and he would not let what was going on affect his relationship with God. If anything, the adversity drew him closer to God and strengthened his trust in God.

(v6-8). Like David, there are days we may feel alone and want so badly to be validated. Trust in God to take care of all that concerns you. When we have God’s joy, it’s incomparable to the joy of material benefits. When we trust God, He fills us with His peace and assurance. We can lose material things; we may even lose relationships and things we value and hold dearly, but when we trust in God, He fills our hearts with blessings that can never be taken from us.

Love,

Osi