Top Security
Opening Prayer
Take a few minutes of silence to still your mind and focus on our awesome God. Then give him your praise.
Read PSALM 59:1-17
[1] For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me. [2] Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood. [3] See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, LORD. [4] I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight! [5] You, LORD God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors. [6] They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. [7] See what they spew from their mouths- the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, “Who can hear us?” [8] But you laugh at them, LORD; you scoff at all those nations. [9] You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, [10] my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. [11] But do not kill them, Lord our shield, or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring them down. [12] For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, [13] consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. [14] They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. [15] They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied. [16] But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. [17] You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What refrain reflects David's confidence in the Lord (9,17)?Listen to all the security vocabulary in this psalm: protect me (1), plotting (3), attack (4), fortress (9). David wrote it when there was an ambush at his house. He was under attack and he was guilty of no crime. So what’s the connection with our theme of giving ourselves to God?
If we are committed to going live with our faith and putting it into action, we also need to ask God for protection (1-5). Our role is to pray (1), and have integrity and honesty in what we do (3). In return we are promised God’s care and protection (16,17).
Living live didn’t end when the Bible was written—that was only the beginning. We may have more distractions (commuting to work, keeping expensive houses and families, TV and every form of information technology under the sun), but our commission is the same: to give ourselves to our communities and our world in the service of building God’s kingdom. When opposition arises and we, like David are under attack, we, too, can turn to the one who is “my strength,” “my fortress” and “my loving God” (9,17).
Apply
Write a short psalm that speaks about what God has done or is doing in your community or your workplace.
Closing prayer
Use what you identified in your short psalm to thank God for what he is doing in the world around you.
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