Can You Help Me?
Opening Prayer
God, sustain me with Your unfailing love. May I rise above all my enemies in joyful praise.
Read Psalm 54
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[1] For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, “Is not David hiding among us?” Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might. [2] Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. [3] Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me- people without regard for God. [4] Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. [5] Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them. [6] I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good. [7] You have delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does the Lord sustain?What David, king of Israel, suffered was to foreshadow what Jesus, King of the Jews, would experience.For many people the Psalms are a very special part of the Bible. They reflect and express all human conditions. Psalm 54 is no exception. David speaks of the attacks he is under – ruthless people are seeking his life (3). He prays that the Lord will save him (1); he is confident the Lord is his help (4); and he ends with praise and worship that God has delivered him from all his troubles (7; see also 34:17).The word David uses in verse 4 is “sustains”. It is a word often used in the Psalms (55:22; 89:21; 146:9). It means that God maintains, provides, supports, comforts, encourages, helps me to endure, refreshes and protects me. This has been David’s experience throughout his life, whether he was dealing with family tensions, the responsibilities of his kingship or the failings in his own nature.David moves from praying to be vindicated by God’s power, to praising God’s “name” (6), the very nature of God himself. This was to be Jesus’ unique experience through his trial, suffering and crucifixion. And it can be our testimony, whatever the situations we face. The Lord is the one who sustains me.
Apply
Bring your needs to God and then praise him for who he is and all he does in your life.
Closing prayer
Faithful Lord, thank you for David’s experience and testimony. Help me to know your sustaining power and presence.
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