Primarily looking at Psalms 69 the on-going lamenting of David as he is being hunted by King Saul and his enemies. Knowing that David at this point has already been identified and anointed by the Prophet/priest Samuel to replace King Saul because of his disobedience; yet David has to wait some 13 years before he actually takes the throne. When we consider the waiting time; it would be difficult for anyone. But when we add in the fact that King Saul wants David dead and pursues him at all cost; the waiting time becomes a journey of constant fear and fleeing. David is not shy about praying against his adversaries; which really is the opposite position of Jesus Christ in Matthew 5. From the beginning of the Psalm 69 – the ethos of Davis can be felt – SAVE ME! The trials of all of us have at one time or another caused us to cry out in such a manner. We have come to the end of our rope, we find no way out of the circumstances and the enemies still pursue us. Talk about an overwhelming and frustrating position! David continually declares his innocence; that may be the case at this point in time, but we know what happens to David when life has “found its ease.” [2 Sam 12]
David is weary; he continually cries out for God to deliver him and prays for God to hear and answer his prayers. What are we to do when it seems that there is no end to the relentless attack of people, Satan and life? In our current time many people opt out of life all together. Others will seek refuge in extra/multiple relationships looking for that “safe haven” person. While others will attempt to mask or escape reality through drugs and alcohol. All the the “escape or defense mechanisms” fail to cope with the on-onslaught of life gone crazy.Paul writes for us in 2 Cor. 4:7-12 about his life and the ills that flow from someone who lives to please God in Jesus Christ. He, Paul had been beaten, shipwrecked, stoned [rocks], scourged and left for dead; not your most comfortable living conditions. What was his attitude and response to all of this? He chose the “high-road” of living. He was afflicted, but saw he was not crushed; perplexed but not despairing; persecuted but not forsaken and struck down but not destroyed. Paul looked at his suffering and saw the silver lining. In other words he saw that even though things were bad; they could have been worse! I know many right now are saying – he had to be crazy to keep the positive attitude in the worse of conditions that life threw at him. But such is the life of a believer. If they have persecuted Jesus our Lord and Savior; why would we think the enemies would treat us any better? The struggle and failure of Christians, i.e. Christians today is they want Heaven without any costs to them. People want a comfortable religion – Christianity is not this religion. The Bible speaks more about how the Christian should take up his cross and deny himself, if he wants to be a “disciple of Jesus.” I have found that many professing Christians think this is too much – and they want to maintain control over their lives. Sorry people, that is not what Jesus has called us too. The followers in Jesus day had the same problem – see John 6:50-66. I believe people want to miss Hell and go to Heaven, but they do not want to be a disciple or follower of Jesus Christ. When a person declares that Jesus is their Lord – it is suppose to mean that they pledge complete allegiance and commitment to Him and that they no longer look to please themselves, but Jesus only. That is what it is suppose to mean; but we have distorted what a Christian really is in our Churches and faith [lack of] testimony.
David feared what his enemies were trying to do – Jesus tells [Matt 10:28] not to fear the one who can kill us; but the one who can destroy both soul and body in Hell. There is great confidence in knowing that all man can do is kill the body – Paul in Romans 8:31-39 places all his confidence in the fact that nothing in this world can separate us from the love of God. Paul tells us “if we suffer with Jesus [like manner] we will also be exalted like Him. We must stop worrying about what man t\”thinks he can do to us” and live in the confidence that “in Christ” we are already victorious!
preachbetweenthelines 