Living Reminders

Psalm 59:11 (KJV) Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

(Proverbs 9 also read)

David is in the crosshairs.  Later he will reverse his request but this is an interesting insight into the role of the evil people around us.  They are there as a reminder.

Have you had those times when you are driving and not paying enough attention and you hit the biggest pothole in sight, or since you hit it, out of sight?  Assuming your car survives, it wakes you up to pay more attention.  Even if it blows a tire you come out of it more aware of the dangers you face.

Politicians can do that for you.  They can remind you of the dangers of falling asleep politically.  David seems to be wanting just enough pain to keep people on their toes.

So?  This gives you a reason to be thankful for the hard times.  It is like sticking your head out the front door to see if you need a coat.  Make use of God’s warnings. 

Two Escapes

Psalm 59:2 (KJV) Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

David is obviously concerned about people who are out to get his head.  He calls upon the Lord to save him.  What was interesting to me was not that he called upon the Lord, but that there seem to be two avenues that he was suggesting.  The first one is the one that we might tend to want to see, especially in times like today.  The second is when he calls upon God to destroy his enemies. That comes later in the chapter.  Not so here.

Here he’s calling for deliverance.  That takes different forms.  One is to help him to escape, just to get away, to get out of their reach.  The other is to simply batten down the hatches and keep him safe where he is.

So?  God has His eye on us.  There are times when He will simply beat down those who attack us.  There are times when He will lead us beside the still waters.  There are also times when He will simply be the fortress that keeps us safe in the midst of it all.  Keep trusting.