Bible Reading: Numbers 27; Psalms 70 & 71; Isaiah 17 & 18; 1 Peter 5
Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha. (Psalms 70:2-3)
David spent a lot of time in trouble! He had to run for his life on many occasions and he had many enemies. David too was a mighty warrior; however, he did not try to prove his innocence. For that he trusted in God. Here is one of the many instances in Scripture where David prays, asking God to deliver him and to deal with his enemies. Since he was innocent, he did not have to defend himself. He simply prayed that God would make things right. He asks that his enemies will be ashamed and confounded.
Can God do that? Absolutely! You should pray that God would turn them backward and put them into confusion that desire your hurt. Instead of fighting against them, you and I should pray. Many times, we are so worried about being treated right that we spend a lot of time trying to prove our cause. David did not do that. He cried out to God. Do you remember when Saul was trying to kill David? On two different occasions, David would have slain Saul. He would not do it and said that Saul was the Lord's anointed. Even though he was treated wrongly, he would not be the one to take the life of the king.
What did he do? He prayed and trusted God to deal with his personal enemies. David was a very strong man and yet he cries out like this:
Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD. (Psalms 70:1)
David also prayed for those who were God-seekers. He prayed that they would continually rejoice and worship God. Even when things are tough!
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. (Psalms 70:4)
David was a man of faith and he trusted in the LORD. He did not trust in himself or his ability. Listen to how the mighty warrior of Israel describes himself:
But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying. (Psalms 70:5)
When you trust God you do not have to defend yourself. You have to pray! David was dependant, desperate and determined that God receive all the glory! He knew that God would deliver him and confound his enemies in a way that would shame them. God can do a much better job of defending you than you can!
In Christ,
Rody
