June 11 A READ PSALMS 55–59
The Link of Faith
OVERVIEW
Great peril can cause great discouragement; it can also disclose great faith in God. Although David cries out in anguish to God when faced with the betrayal of a friend (Psalm 55), the vicious pursuit of his enemies (56–57), and the hatred of violent judges (58), at the same time he demonstrates great confidence in God’s ability to vindicate him at the proper time and in the proper way (59).
MY DAILY WALK
When the forecast calls for storms, ships need a strong anchor; buildings, a sure foundation; trees, a deep root system. In each case, their very survival through the storm depends upon a strong link to that which cannot be moved.
David’s anchor in stormy circumstances was an unshakable faith in an unchanging God. Each psalm in today’s reading describes an unsettling, disrupting influence that swept into his life. David pictures these onslaughts as a wild storm (55:8), as fierce lions (57:4), as deadly snakes (58:4-5), and as vicious dogs (59:6). But rather than focus on the forces swirling around him, David concentrates on his link of faith to God (55:22; 56:10-11; 57:11; 58:11; 59:9).
Is there a storm on the horizon in your life? Are you facing fierce opposition because of your faith? Using David’s expressions of trust as your model, compose in your own words a two- or three-sentence statement of your confidence in the God who never changes.
THE BEGINNING OF ANXIETY IS THE END OF FAITH; THE BEGINNING OF TRUE FAITH IS THE END OF ANXIETY.
INSIGHT
Self-Portrait of a Traitor | Ps. 55:12-14
Though the identity of the traitor described in verses 55:12-14 remains unknown to us, ironically David was painting a graphic picture that was illustrative of his own treachery toward Uriah the Hittite, one of David’s staunchest allies and the victim of his murderous plot (see 2 Samuel 11).
INSIGHT
To Destroy or Not to Destroy? | Psalm 57
Psalms 57–59, each written by David, are to be sung to the tune of “Do Not Destroy!” So is Psalm 75, a song written by Asaph. The theme in all four is the same: a prayer for God’s protection from evil and vengeance on enemies. Perhaps a better title for the tune would be, “Destroy Them, Not Us!”
For the choir director: A psalm* of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1Listen to my prayer, O God.
Do not ignore my cry for help!
2Please listen and answer me,
for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
3My enemies shout at me,
making loud and wicked threats.
They bring trouble on me
and angrily hunt me down.
4My heart pounds in my chest.
The terror of death assaults me.
5Fear and trembling overwhelm me,
and I can’t stop shaking.
6Oh, that I had wings like a dove;
then I would fly away and rest!
7I would fly far away
to the quiet of the wilderness.
Interlude
8How quickly I would escape—
far from this wild storm of hatred.
9Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans,
for I see violence and conflict in the city.
10Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders,
but the real danger is wickedness within the city.
11Everything is falling apart;
threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.
12It is not an enemy who taunts me—
I could bear that.
It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—
I could have hidden from them.
13Instead, it is you—my equal,
my companion and close friend.
14What good fellowship we once enjoyed
as we walked together to the house of God.
15Let death stalk my enemies;
let the grave* swallow them alive,
for evil makes its home within them.
16But I will call on God,
and the LORD will rescue me.
17Morning, noon, and night
I cry out in my distress,
and the LORD hears my voice.
18He ransoms me and keeps me safe
from the battle waged against me,
though many still oppose me.
19God, who has ruled forever,
will hear me and humble them.
Interlude
For my enemies refuse to change their ways;
they do not fear God.
20As for my companion, he betrayed his friends;
he broke his promises.
21His words are as smooth as butter,
but in his heart is war.
His words are as soothing as lotion,
but underneath are daggers!
22Give your burdens to the LORD,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
23But you, O God, will send the wicked
down to the pit of destruction.
Murderers and liars will die young,
but I am trusting you to save me.