Devotional readings focused on Psalm 7 for the second week of February.
Meditation
Do you ever feel like evil is winning? Everywhere I look—in the news cycle, on social media, in the lives of family members and friends, and in my own heart and mind—I see a real-life, lived out conflict between good and evil. And is that evil ever strong.
This is the problem David confronted in Psalm 7. He felt as though he was surrounded on every side with villanous and ungodly people who were trying to tear him to pieces. David recorded his visceral cry for justice and salvation in the first two verses of Psalm 7:
O LORD my God, I take refuge in You;
save me and deliver me from all my pursuers,
or they will shred my soul like a lion
and tear me to pieces with no one to rescue me (Psalm 7:1-2, NIV).
Let me add a caveat, here. I cannot relate exactly to David's situation. When he penned Psalm 7, he was being hunted through the wilderness by King Saul and his soldiers. While we read verses 1 and 2 as metaphorical, David meant them literally. Those who pursued him would indeed drag him away and tear his soul from his body if they could catch him.
Nevertheless, I understand this description figuratively as a mamma. Nothing in my life gave me a clearer perspective on the intention of evil to destroy lives than having four little ones to protect. When the children were teenagers and I was desparately trying to screen movies, TV shows, music, websites, social media, and friendships in order to guard their innocence, I felt like the proverbial lion at the gate! Now, as an empty nester mom of four adults, I am no longer on guard duty full time, but I'm no less aware of the dangers of sin to them and to my husband and myself. So I pray with David, "Save us and deliver us from all our pursuers!"
Why do we need deliverance? Because sin is deadly serious business. In verses 12 through 16, David described God's justice and the awful truth that those who choose evil are choosing self-destruction. Sometimes in modern Christendom's emphasis on the love of Jesus, we overlook the catastrophic effects of evil. But we can see it all around us if we are brave enough to look honestly on the state of the world.
So where is the hope in Psalm? I find two reasons to hope in David's song. First, David reminded us in verses 9 and 10 that God is for us if we cling to His righteousness. If we are in right relationship with God, He will establish us, shield us, and save us. We can pray those verses for ourselves and those we love.
The second reason to hope is in David's reference to the assembled people, a subtle reminder that we are not alone in our weary battle against evil. This is a theme echoed in Psalm 9 and 10, too (in the list of suggested Bible readings this week).
Let the assembled peoples gather around you,
while you sit enthroned over them on high.
Let the Lord judge the peoples.
Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.
Bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God
who probes minds and hearts (Psalm 7:7-9, NIV)
Our hope while living with the fallout of evil is strengthened by meeting in the assembly of God's people. "Let them gather!" says David because he knew there is strength in convening with those who worship the Lord. Having a community of faith makes the righteous secure!
How will you combat sin and the powers of darkness this week? It's not optional--all of us will encounter both evil and good in the week ahead. But with God's people by our side and His strength to surround us, we can know that God will vindicate us and make us secure as we surrender our lives to His purposes.
Readings and Reflection Questions
Monday's reading: Psalm 7
Reflection Questions: Where in your community do you see the after effects of sinful choices or evil perpetrated on the innocent? How is your church or community of faith responding to that? How are you personally responding to bring healing to broken lives?
Tuesday's reading: 1 Samuel 24
Reflection Questions: What this passage doesn’t tell us is that Saul went back on his promise and was soon pursuing David again, as soon as chapter 26! Do you think David would have been justified to take Saul’s life after a similar event occurs in chapter 26? Why do you think David refused to touch Saul even though it could potentially cost David his life in the future? How could this attitude apply to you when you feel as though you are being singled out for ill treatment?
Wednesday's reading: Proverbs 18:1-10
Reflection Questions: Verses 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 9 describe the results of bad or immoral decisions. How do these verses align with Psalm 7? How might the name of the Lord be a strong tower for the righteous as described in verse 10?
Thursday's reading: John 15:18-27
Reflection Questions: Why do you think Jesus says that if He had not come to earth and spoken to people, they would not be guilty of sin? Why do you think some people hate God? How does the Holy Spirit help us navigate the troubles we face?
Friday's reading: 2 Timothy 3:12-17
Reflection Questions: In this passage, Paul talks about the tools we have for navigating a sinful world. What is Paul’s main tool? How well are you utilizing that tool in your personal life?
Reflection Questions: Who is the Lord for those who love Him? Make a list of all He is and does for the righteous.
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