The Place of Confidence
Opening Prayer
Father God, You care and provide for me so well and lovingly. I know I can trust You for all things.
Read Psalm 52:1-9
[1] For the director of music. A maskil of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.” Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God? [2] You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor. [3] You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. [4] You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue! [5] Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. [6] The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying, [7] “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!” [8] But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. [9] For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good. 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 David find peace in the face of this evil?This psalm was written, probably by David, when he was in a pretty precarious situation. He was being hunted by Saul, running for his life. He had sought refuge with Abiathar, a priest who had given him food, counsel, and the sword of Goliath. However, he had been seen by a man called Doeg who informed on him to Saul. In revenge, Saul had Abiathar and the whole village murdered. This is not a situation that would make anyone feel very confident or upbeat! David denounces Doeg as evil, deceitful, a disgrace, and with no future (1-5). By contrast, David declares himself to be “like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God” (8). Centuries later, Jeremiah echoes these thoughts: “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord…They will be like a tree planted by the water… It does not fear when heat comes” (Jer. 17:7,8). Doeg has made his choice: to use his tongue to slander, lie and destroy others. David has made his choice: to use his tongue to praise God, and to declare his undeviating trust in him. Things look bad now, but in the end, who is stronger?
Apply
How do you react when things look bad? Trusting in God will enable you to flourish and be fruitful.
Closing prayer
Lord, You know the frightening, discouraging situations I face. Help me to find my peace by trusting in You.
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