In this block of scripture, David continues his plea to God for deliverance from sickness and the plots of his enemies. As he concludes his prayer, he makes several requests we’ll briefly explore:
The “Living” praise God. David entreats God to answer his prayer on the basis of his character…. that is his steadfast love. When we pray to him for help, we ask God to be who he already is….a loving God, who cherishes his children and showers us with abounding mercy. Like David we approach God with these truths in our heart, “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you” (Ps 86:5). While Jeremiah lamented the great destruction of Israel, he did not forget God’s unyielding love for his people, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; (23) they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam 3:22-23). David also pleaded with God to spare his life for the dead do not praise him from the grave. David desired to live so he could continue to give God glory for all his wondrous works in his life, thus, “For in death, there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?” Remember, every breath you and I draw we inhale the mercy of God.
From a new covenant perspective, you and I were dead like stones, that have been brought to life that our walk with God will glorify him not only now but in eternity (1 Pt 2:4-5, cf. Lk 19:37-40).
God restores us. David laments that he is inflicted both by his illness and the persecution of his enemies. He says, “My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.” But as he continues his prayers, he expresses his reassurance that God has heard and accepted his prayers. He is confident that God will restore him and puts his enemies to shame. To David, God’s deliverance was not a matter of “if”, but “when,” thus, “…All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.” Likewise, we also will suffer much trial from the deteriorating condition of the bodies as we age and are afflicted with those who hate us because of the testimony and witness of Jesus Christ we carry. None of the things we go through will separate us from the restorative love of God that is promised us. Paul, who suffered much in his body and persecution encouraged the Romans in this way of this wonderful truth, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (36) As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ (37) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (38) For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:35-39). Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D
www.springoflivingwaters.com