Psalm 55:16-23 - "And the LORD Shall Save Me"
MAY 19, 2023
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David wrote Psalm 55 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. 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”. 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.


Finally in verses 16-23, David looked up to God and
put his trust in Him. While it's normal for us to hope for a quick way of
escape, and important for us to understand our feelings and circumstances, it's
far more important to look up to God and ask for His help. David could no
longer lead an army into battle, but he was able to pray that God would defeat
the rebel forces, and God answered his prayers. David used Jehovah, the
covenant name of God, when he said, "The LORD will save me"
(v. 16).


The Jews did have stated hours of prayer (Daniel
6:10; Acts 3:1), but "evening, morning, and at noon" (v. 17)
means that David was praying all day long! He no doubt also prayed at night (v.
10). David was certain that the Lord would hear him and rescue him because He
was enthroned in heaven and in complete control. David's throne was in danger,
but God's throne was secure (9:7-8; 29:10; 74:12).


During his difficult years of preparation, David had
experienced many changes, and this taught him to trust the God who never
changes (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). Absalom and his friends had lived in luxury
and ease and knew very little about the challenge of changing circumstances, so
they had no faith in God or fear of God. A prosperous life is an easy life
until you find yourself in the midst of the storm, and then you discover how
ill-prepared you are; for what life does to us depends on what life finds in
us.


As David is fleeing, he must have been told by a prophet,
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you….” He then
writes it down for everyone to read in the time of their trouble! This promise
is repeated in 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares
for you”.  The word translated "burden"
or "cares," means, "that which he has given you,"
reminding us that even the burdens of life come from the loving heart and hand
of God (Psalm 33:11; Romans 8:28). When David's lot was a happy one, it came
from the Lord (Psalm 16:5-6), and when he experienced times of pain and sorrow,
the Lord was still in control.


David closed the Psalm by speaking to the Lord and
affirming his faith (v. 23). He was confident that God would judge his enemies.  Absalom and Ahithophel “would not live out
half their days”. Ahithophel went out and hanged himself and Absalom was
killed in the battle.


We should remember, our Lord Jesus Christ, like
David, also had a traitor who hanged himself (Matthew 27:1-10). Like David, Jesus
also crossed the Kidron Valley (2 Samuel 15:23; John 18:1), that Jesus also
wept on the Mount of Olives (2 Samuel 15:30; Luke 22:39-44; Hebrews 5:7), and
that Jesus was also rejected by His own people (John 1:11). And that today Jesus
is enthroned in heaven and will one day return to Jerusalem to establish His
kingdom (Zech. 14:4-21).


My friend, today you can safely put your trust in
Him!


God bless!

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