Passage: Psalm 17
The Big Idea
Surrounded by enemies, David asks God to hear him, keep him as the apple of His eye and hide him in the shadow of His wings. The world’s portion is in this life. But David’s hope is greater: to see God’s face and be satisfied.
Reflections
Hear a just cause, O Lord (v. 1). God is my help. He knows when I truly believe I need Him. I can’t fake humility.
Let my vindication come from Your presence (v. 2). Even my dealings with evil people aren’t out of God’s control. He sees, and my only hope is that He’ll step in.
You have tested my heart (vv. 3-5). With His Spirit in me, a clean heart can actually be a reality. Without Him I fall short every time. When I’m in Christ, the Word, I’m safe. That’s the only way to victory over the flesh. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You (Psalm 119:11). Uphold my steps in Your paths: I’ll slip every time unless You hold me.
You will hear me, O God (v. 6). A holy God loves me enough to listen. Humility is the only posture in which I can pray with confidence that He hears.
Show Your marvelous lovingkindness (v. 7). His lovingkindness is grace, something to marvel at. His strength provides it, and He responds to faith every time.
Keep me as the apple of Your eye (v. 8). It takes faith to believe in such wonderful grace, love and protection. Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.
From the wicked who oppress me (vv. 9-12). Faith changes how I respond to enemies. Will I fear them or trust God? The enemy is pictured as a lion lurking for prey: the flesh personified, proud and closed-hearted.
Arise, O Lord, deliver my life (v. 13). Only God can deliver from the spirit of rebellion.
Men of the world, whose portion is in this life (v. 14). The world has only this world. We have more. He is my portion and reward, and I feed my soul on the treasures of His grace.
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness (v. 15). Death is my path to God: dying to self daily, and one day physical death, when I’ll wake to see His face and be satisfied.
Grace Takeaway
You are the apple of His eye. Hide in the shadow of His wings today, and fix your hope on the day you’ll see His face and be fully satisfied.
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