A Target, or a Haven?

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Opening Prayer

Lord, I live by Your Word and await Your word to me. Come in the power of newness. Come soon.

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.

Meditate

“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock” (Psa. 27:5). Now that’s a promise to claim!

Think Further

As I wrote this, the UK embassy in Iran had just been attacked. Several of the staff and many British citizens were forced to leave the country. What should have been a haven, a place of security and safety, had become a target, a place of fear and danger. At the same time I read of people considered to be some way newsworthy having their homes besieged by frightening crowds of irresponsible journalists. These situations capture the feelings expressed by David in this psalm. He felt he had done nothing wrong, but his own home, where he should have felt particularly safe, had become a place where he was particularly threatened. It just wasn’t fair! He expresses his anger and frustration, partly because of the physical danger, but even more because of the way he was being misrepresented, the lies that were being told about him.

The impression is sometimes given that it is unacceptable for believers to express how they feel, and especially to complain about their situation; it is somehow letting God down. However, David, and indeed Scripture in general, have little time for that approach. That is how David is feeling and, of course, he wants to tell God all about it! In fact, speaking out his aggravation and resentment enables him to regain his perspective and to realize that the only safe haven he has, or needs, is to be found in God himself. He begins by asking God to be his fortress and ends by proclaiming that God is his fortress (1,17). Whatever the danger, however powerful those who oppose him, however hurtful and slanderous their words, David can still rely on God. If God can laugh (8) at such dangers then they don’t seem quite so daunting to David, either.

Apply

David could have easily become cynical, but he didn’t. How could David’s use of joyful worship aid you?

Closing prayer

Lord, thank You that when I feel threatened or misunderstood I can tell You how I feel. Thank You that I can rely on You to be my safe haven.

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