A Prayer When Facing Hostility
Psalm 17 provides a pattern for prayer whenever you are facing an hostile enemy.
The Psalmist calls out to God and puts his hope purely in God's just ways, saying in verse 2 "let your eyes behold the right!" How confident are we when praying about a difficult relational issue that God will vindicate us?
This Psalmist makes certain to check himself first and opens himself to God's own examination.
Verses 3-5 are the Psalmist self-examining statements. He truly feels he is in the right and even seeks God's agreement.
How we need to make sure we do the same! Sometimes a relationship is difficult because we are the ones in the wrong. Before you pray for God to change your enemies, make sure God doesn't have to first change you.
The Psalmist then praise the faithful love of His God.
Psalm 17:6–7 (ESV) I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. 7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
He knows God is there, listening, caring, loving and protecting him. How we need to know our God is for us and not against us.
Then he prays for nearness with God...
Psalm 17:8–9 (ESV) Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, 9 from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.
The Psalmist does all this before asking a thing of the Lord. He wants that relationship to be as open and intimate as possible before he asks of anything specific. What a model for us! We need to maintain a close relationship with our Father. James calls us to "draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
Finally the Psalmist beseeches God...
Psalm 17:13–14 (ESV) Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, 14 from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.
What I love about this request is that David is not asking God to give him victory over his enemies. He's asking the Lord to confront them Himself. How we need to do the same. To trust the Lord with those who hate us. Never returning violence for violence. Leaving them in the hands of God is much wiser than taking matters into our own hands.
Psalm 17:15 (ESV) As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
The Psalmist closes out with another desire for intimacy with the Lord. He keeps that relationship number one and trusts God to handle the rest.
May we do the same.
The Psalmist calls out to God and puts his hope purely in God's just ways, saying in verse 2 "let your eyes behold the right!" How confident are we when praying about a difficult relational issue that God will vindicate us?
This Psalmist makes certain to check himself first and opens himself to God's own examination.
Verses 3-5 are the Psalmist self-examining statements. He truly feels he is in the right and even seeks God's agreement.
How we need to make sure we do the same! Sometimes a relationship is difficult because we are the ones in the wrong. Before you pray for God to change your enemies, make sure God doesn't have to first change you.
The Psalmist then praise the faithful love of His God.
Psalm 17:6–7 (ESV) I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. 7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
He knows God is there, listening, caring, loving and protecting him. How we need to know our God is for us and not against us.
Then he prays for nearness with God...
Psalm 17:8–9 (ESV) Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, 9 from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.
The Psalmist does all this before asking a thing of the Lord. He wants that relationship to be as open and intimate as possible before he asks of anything specific. What a model for us! We need to maintain a close relationship with our Father. James calls us to "draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
Finally the Psalmist beseeches God...
Psalm 17:13–14 (ESV) Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, 14 from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.
What I love about this request is that David is not asking God to give him victory over his enemies. He's asking the Lord to confront them Himself. How we need to do the same. To trust the Lord with those who hate us. Never returning violence for violence. Leaving them in the hands of God is much wiser than taking matters into our own hands.
Psalm 17:15 (ESV) As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
The Psalmist closes out with another desire for intimacy with the Lord. He keeps that relationship number one and trusts God to handle the rest.
May we do the same.
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