THE BEST PLACE TO HIDE
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Opening Prayer
Gracious Father, thank you for this day you have made and for all you have in store for me in it. Help me to honor and glorify you today.
Read PSALM 17
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Psalm 17
A prayer of David.
1 Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;
listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.
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.
4 Though people tried to bribe me,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
through what your lips have commanded.
5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not stumbled.
6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
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.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.
10 They close up their callous hearts,
and their mouths speak with arrogance.
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion hungry for prey,
like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
13 Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down;
with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
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.
15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
Reflect
What makes you feel unsafe? Some fear crime; others are more concerned about ideologies that threaten life as we know it. Whatever the threat, where can you go to hide?In this psalm, David makes three pleas to God. The first is essentially ‘I am innocent!’ (v. 1); then comes ‘they are attacking me!’ (vv. 8, 9); and finally, ‘I am confident in God!’ (v. 13).
Notice the physical descriptions David uses. His attackers have callous ‘hearts,’ arrogant ‘mouths’ (v. 10), and ‘eyes’ intent on evil (v. 11). He then adds an animal description: a ‘lion hungry for prey’ (v. 12).
And yet, despite their calloused hearts, arrogant mouths, and sinister eyes, David finishes this psalm expressing confidence in God. Our God turns his ear toward us to hear our prayer (v. 6), his authority is used to save his people (see the ‘right hand’, v. 7), and his people are the apple of his eye. This refers to the tiny reflection of the person in the pupil of the eye, revealing the focus of his loving gaze (v. 8). And, like a hen, God spreads his wings to protect his people.
Apply
The answer David anticipates is not focused on removing any threat. Rather, it is the anticipated joy of intimacy with God himself. What if God himself is the greatest answer to your prayer?
Closing prayer
Lord God, however difficult my circumstances may be, enable me to sense your presence and pleasure, help me trust in your faithfulness, and rest in the reality of your great love for me.
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