Suggested Bible Reading: Psalm 56, 120, 140-142
Devotional Thought:
Title: “Learning to Be Thankful in the Midst of Trial.”
Here is another psalm, in Psalms 140, written by David in the midst of difficulties. The Lord has the wonderful Psalmist preserve this song so that we could benefit from it today. This is a psalm of encouragement to all who suffer for righteousness sake. It is a fitting sequel to Psalm 139 where David speaks of the enemies of the Lord as being his enemies too. Unfortunately, David had many enemies. They were in the nation, on his staff, and in his home. He knew what it was to be persecuted by Saul, by Doeg, by Ahithophel and Shimei, and even by his own son Absalom. Spurgeon calls this Psalm, “The Cry of a Hunted Soul.” Contrary to some commentators, I do not believe the “evil man” and the “violent man” in verse one is talking about Saul and Doeg. I believe it is broader than that, but this would definitely apply to the likes of these two men. I believe David is begging God to protect him from all those who have evil intentions in their heart, and from those who would seek to do him harm. These men that David was dealing with were proud men. They would not easily accept the defeat of their evil agendas. They were determined to succeed in their conspiracies against the Psalmist. Yet there may be a paradox here, proud men stooping to the secretive and subtle action of setting traps for David! They were cunning in their hostility, and their deceitfulness is depicted by the use of snares, cords, nets and gins (traps). Gins were used especially for catching birds. The net was usually spread across the intended victim’s path, concealed by grasses or leaves. When the unsuspecting victim was caught in it then, with the cord or noose, the hunter pulled it together and so the entrapment was complete. David could have bravely and boldly faced an enemy in the open, as he did Goliath, but for this deceptive setting of traps for him he needed divine protection. These proud men were deceitful men, who would stop at nothing. “Keep me,” he pleads. “Preserve me.” The Psalmist prays for divine restraint on the wicked, that their evil desires may not be accomplished. We know that the hearts of all men are under the control of the Lord. He could order it so that David’s enemies may be frustrated in their malicious endeavors to destroy him. If their plans for his hurt were to succeed, then even this must be by the permissive will of God. David prays that it may not be so. He suggest how his enemies would gloat if their wicked schemes should prevail. How they would exalt themselves in their pride if this were allowed of God. Earnestly he pleads, “Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked.” The Psalm concludes on a similarly confident note. “Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.” The Psalmist has no doubts that the Lord will do the right thing. Whatever evil men may say about God’s people, or do to them, they are His. He will maintain their cause during the years of their pilgrimage on earth, and then they shall dwell in His presence forever. A thankful people we must be now, and our thanksgiving will continue into eternity as we dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to always focus on you and who you are and not on the circumstances around me.
- Lord, thank you for your omniscience and omnipresence. I can be confident that you know what is going on in my life and that you are there with me.
- Lord, please help me to be eternal in my perspective of life and not so temporal on the things that are restricted by time. Every trial has an end date!