Bible verse of the day: Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Daily Devotional; In the shadow of his wings by God’s centered life devotionals;
Oh, what a beautiful psalm! And how hard was the time that caused this psalm to be written! “Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry!” He is surrounded by enemies seeking him harm, and this consideration may be causing him a sleepless night (verse 3: “you have visited me by night”).
David recounts his righteousness before God. He is not claiming to be morally perfect. He is saying that the prayer of his lips matches the commitment of his lifestyle. “My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped” (17:5). And so, with confidence, “I will call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words” (17:6). “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings” (17:8).
Take these prayers of David and make them your own when you face “deadly enemies who surround” you (17:9). Perhaps you are facing enemies of despair. Perhaps you are facing physical enemies. We all are facing the spiritual enemy. We are in a fight for our lives.
David recounts the hardness of his enemies. “They close their hearts to pity.” They “speak arrogantly” (17:10). They are like a lion “eager to tear,” like a “young lion lurking in ambush” (17:12). And so David prays: “Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him!” (17:13).
From whom does he need to be delivered? “From men of the world whose portion is in this life” (17:14). These are people who focus on what they can get in the here and now. Indeed, they are successful at accumulating wealth. But such apparent blessings only serve to show the temporal nature of their condition. Whereas for David, “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness” (17:15).
17:1 Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer it does not rise from deceitful lips.
17:2 Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.
17:3 Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed.
17:4 Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded.
17:5 My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.
17:6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
17:7 Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.
17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
17:9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
17:10 They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance.
17:11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
17:12 They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
17:13 Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down; with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
17:14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord, from those of this world whose reward is in this life. May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies; may their children gorge themselves on it, and may there be leftovers for their little ones.
17:15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
Summary; David, the Psalmist, who is in a worrisome state. Psalm 17 is his earnest plea that, if nothing else, can be described as open, honest communication between himself and YHWH. In this plea, the Psalmist hides nothing.
Closing Prayer; Heavenly Father may our vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right. Though you probe our hearts and examine us at night, though you test us, you will find nothing; We have resolved that our mouth will not sin. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Salvation: Which is how you ask to become a child of Our Heavenly Father. Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and I know you will answer my prayers. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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