Scripture: “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:” – (7:1)
Observation: David desires to be examined for his own righteousness, and if he is found to have sinned, to have judgment from God upon him. He understands that God is not pleased with the wicked, and judgment will come from the Lord. David also acknowledges that God will be his defense when He determines that David has an upright heart.
Application: The world we live in hates Christians and the God of the Bible. There is no place in the world where Christians can openly worship without the underlying possibility of negative interactions with others. In some countries, Christians are killed for their faith, forcing believers to worship “underground”. In many countries, it is illegal to be associated with any form of Christianity. Even in America, which is a country founded on the Judeo-Christian principles found in the Bible, there are acts of extreme violence against Christians. This world can definitely be a frightening place for those who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Why do we continue to worship the Lord Jesus Christ? Because it is He who saves and delivers! It is He who is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. Our God created all things and sustains all things, and the God we worship loves us with an everlasting love. He has redeemed us; we belong to Him, and He keeps us in the palm of His hand. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28).
The Scriptures record numerous examples of how God protects His own in perilous situations. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 121:7-8, “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Here are a few of those who trusted in God despite overwhelming odds against them:
- Daniel – saved from the lions’ den
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – saved from the fiery furnace
- Esther – saved from annihilation along with the Jewish citizens of Persia
- David – saved from Goliath
- Peter – saved from drowning
- Paul – saved from several assassination attempts
This is by no means an exhaustive list; there are so many others in the Bible whose names could be included.
From these examples, we can also see that being a child of God doesn’t exempt you from persecution and challenges, but we are promised God’s deliverance. Being a child of God doesn’t necessarily mean we live a life on easy street. It means that God will never leave us, and His perfect plan for each of our lives will come to fruition. Sometimes, the way is hard, but when we walk “through the valley of the shadow of death”, He will be with us (Psalm 23:4). In the latter part of Matthew 28:20, Jesus promised, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
Prayer: Dearest heavenly Father, I praise You for who You are. Your mercies are truly new every morning, and Your faithfulness is unfailing! Thank You! Father, please help me to remember that You will always help me through hard times. You will always help me endure whatever comes my way. You will always carry me when I cannot go on. Your Spirit will give me the strength I need to face anything this world throws my way. I am Your child and You have promised to take care of me. I will trust You even in the hard times for You are my Saviour and my Deliverer. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender
They're leading me in paths that I must trod
I'll have no fear 'cause Jesus walks beside me
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God
So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise
They won't worry me
For I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God
He walks with me and naught of earth shall harm me
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God
(from “Sheltered in the Arms of God” by Dottie Rambo)
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“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10