In this Psalm, David seems to be at his wits end. He had striven to walk with God and still all the world seemed to be after him. Theologians think this was written either while David was on the run from Saul or when there was constant strife at the end of David’s reign. In either case, David finally lays down on God’s alter all the outcomes. In effect, David says, “I am tired of trying to be crafty, strong, and in control. You God be the sword, the shield, the armor, the strategist, and whatever else You need to be.
As life would have it, it is in those times when we are out of answers that God takes over. When God is in charge, He speaks clearly and leads wonderfully. David knew that better than anyone. God had protected, prepared, and provided for young David from the beginning, and he carried David through every sort of trial imaginable. Some of David’s trials were self-inflicted, while others were ways God set the king apart making him the greatest king in Israel’s history.
Despite David’s sin and failures, he never wavered from that faith and dependence upon God. It was his continued dependence that allowed God to bless David throughout his reign. God even used the failures in His life to bless Israel. It was, after all, Bathsheba’s son Solomon that God used to build the temple and solidify Israel as a nation.
It was that line that directly funneled down to Jesus’ lineage. In Jesus lineage, we also see Tamar that slept with her father-in-law to be able to carry on the line. We see Rahab the harlot from Jerico, Ruth the poor Midianite daughter-in-law of Naomi and Mary the virgin mom. If one was making up the lineage of the savior of the world, one can be sure it would not contain so many people with difficult stories.
The common link, then and now, is that God was in charge and executed His plan flawlessly. We, like David, must come to the end of ourselves and look to God to carry us through. Our many weaknesses and failures cannot define us. Our relationship with God is what will define us; and as such, our heart and passion must be focused upon Him. David was frustrated. His life never went as smoothly as he would have liked. But, in the end, that life was marked by a faith and love for God that branded King David as a man after God’s own heart. In my thinking, it does not get any better than that.
God Bless You
O Lord, oppose those who oppose me.
Fight those who fight against me.
2 Put on your armor, and take up your shield.
Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.
3 Lift up your spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Let me hear you say,
“I will give you victory!”
4 Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me;
turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me.
5 Blow them away like chaff in the wind—
a wind sent by the angel of the Lord.
6 Make their path dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
7 I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me.
I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me.
8 So let sudden ruin come upon them!
Let them be caught in the trap they set for me!
Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me.
9 Then I will rejoice in the Lord.
I will be glad because he rescues me.
10 With every bone in my body I will praise him:
“Lord, who can compare with you?
Who else rescues the helpless from the strong?
Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?”
Walking With God 