Psalm 55:9-15; 20-21
MAY 18, 2023
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This is another one of the Psalms that David wrote
when he was fleeing for his life because his son Absalom had stolen the hearts
of the people and turned them against his father. You can read the history and
circumstances of this Psalm in 2 Samuel 15-16. It's likely that this psalm was
written early in Absalom's rebellion, when David was still in Jerusalem (vv.
9-11), and the revolt was gathering momentum. If so, then the
"friend" of verses 12-14 and 20-21 had to be David's counselor
Ahithophel who had sided with Absalom. Psalm 55 reveals four
possible approaches to handling the painful problems and battles of life.


In verses 1-5, David’s first focus was to look
within at his own feelings. But before he did that, he cried out to God in
prayer (vv. 1-2).  In verses 6-8, David
expressed what most of us want to do when we feel like we have been hurt by our
friends and family. He wanted to “fly away like a dove to the wilderness and
never come back”.


Now in verses 9-15, David focused on the reality of
the circumstances around him. David wasn't living in denial; he knew what was
going on around him. Have you ever known someone who lives in complete denial
of their problems? I’ve known some people who were “so positive” and optimistic
that they would never admit that they even had a problem. And as a result, they
never attempted to do anything to resolve them or deal with them. It was like
they lived in a dream world.


David, hurt as he was by his son Absolom’s rebellion
and revolt to take over the kingdom, still took time to evaluate the situation
and continued to directed operations in a masterful manner, worthy of his
reputation. What did he see? “For I have seen violence and strife in the
city. Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are
also in the midst of it. Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do
not depart from its streets” (vv. 9-11). He saw violence, confusion, chaos,
division, lawlessness, and trouble. He saw destruction of property, and the people
being oppressed by deceit and corruption.


Goodness!
That sounds almost the same as what we see in our beloved country today! Of course
this is always what happens when someone or a group of people are selfishly
trying to have their own way rather than God’s way. It was about money, greed,
and power! It was about who was in control! Only God can help David out of this
mess and my friend only God can bring peace and resolution to our problems in
our country today.


Among the rebels, David singled out one person who
broke his heart, and that was Ahithophel, "a man like myself."
As David's counselor, Ahithophel was not equal to the king in rank or
authority, but he was very close to David. They had worshipped the Lord
together, but now Ahithophel was counseling David's son to rebel against his
father! In verses 20-21, David again mentioned Ahithophel, his violation of the
covenant of friendship with David, and his deceptive persuasive speech. But God
used Hushai to overrule Ahithophel's plans so that Absalom was defeated and
David spared (2 Sam. 17). The picture in verse 15 reminds us of God's judgment
on Korah, Dathan and Abiram because of their rebellion against Moses (Num.
16:28-33). David was God's anointed king, and the Lord protected him.


We can’t live in denial of our problems in our personal
lives or country, but we can face them by praying and trusting God to do what
only He can do. And in the meantime, He “He will sustain us” in the
midst of them!


God bless!



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