God Our Defense

I enjoy writing.  I enjoy speaking.  Sometimes I like to be quiet and listen.  But the real "test" is to relax in God's protection when I am attacked--or when I just feel "hurt."  Can I just wait for God--or do I think I need to let people know I'm right?  Will I let God be my "mighty fortress" or do I try to build my own stronghold (not a good idea!). That's a test I have failed many times.  Preserve and forgive me, Father God, when I try to defend myself, and call, lead, carry or push me home to rest in you.

Tonight I was reading Psalm 59.  The superscription connects this Psalm with an incident in First Samuel 19:8 and following where someone (David) was assaulted and almost killed (by Saul).  Rather than defend himself, David ran, prayed and escaped (with his wife Michal's help).

Understanding this in a spiritual sense teaches me that I can rely on God to protect me.  I do not need to be afraid.  When attacked, I can be quiet and pray.  I do not need to defend myself.  I can trust God and, when he saves me (sometimes with the aid of friends and family), I can give Him all the praise.

Here's the Psalm.  Let us pray that we will allow God to be our defense always.  Pray for me, that I will not, from any lack of trust, try to defend myself.  Pray that I and all God's people will relax and let God be God.

Psalm 59

Of David. A Miktam, when Saul ordered his house to be watched in order to kill him.
¹
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
   protect me from those who rise up against me.
² Deliver me from those who work evil;
   from the bloodthirsty save me.

³ Even now they lie in wait for my life;
   the mighty stir up strife against me.
For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,
⁴   for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.

Rouse yourself, come to my help and see!
⁵   You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Awake to punish all the nations;
   spare none of those who treacherously plot evil.

⁶ Each evening they come back,
   howling like dogs
   and prowling about the city.
⁷ There they are, bellowing with their mouths,
   with sharp words^* on their lips—
   for ‘Who’, they think,^* ‘will hear us?’

⁸ But you laugh at them, O Lord;
   you hold all the nations in derision.
⁹ O my strength, I will watch for you;
   for you, O God, are my fortress.
¹⁰ My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
   my God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

¹¹ Do not kill them, or my people may forget;
   make them totter by your power, and bring them down,
   O Lord, our shield.
¹² For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,
   let them be trapped in their pride.
For the cursing and lies that they utter,
¹³   consume them in wrath;
   consume them until they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
   that God rules over Jacob.

¹⁴ Each evening they come back,
   howling like dogs
   and prowling about the city.
¹⁵ They roam about for food,
   and growl if they do not get their fill.

¹⁶ But I will sing of your might;
   I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been a fortress for me
   and a refuge on the day of my distress.
¹⁷ O my strength, I will sing praises to you,
   for you, O God, are my fortress,
   the God who shows me steadfast love.

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