Psalms 54 – 56

Verse 54:1 starts a Psalm of lamenting his betrayal to Saul:

Liberate me, O God, by the authority of Your name.
    Vindicate me through Your legendary power.

Most read this and consider the pressures of this world to be what David was lamenting. In reality his life was in danger and he had people hunting him and trying to kill him. We on the other hand, for the most part, only have a slight possibility to be in this position for a moment (robbery namely). So we need to remember that this is not lamenting not getting the promotion, but his running for literally his life. So when trying to apply these Psalms of David to your life remember the circumstances were often times different.

Verse 55:4 shows David’s angst:

My heart seizes within my chest; I am in anguish!
    I am terrified my life could end on any breath.

If you think about it our next breath could be our last. Even being healthy and lying in bed, a rock from the cosmos could land on us and extinguish us instantly. We never know! Now does that mean live in fear of death? Or  does that mean enjoy life and “do as thou wilt” (the Satanic Law)? Granted again this is from a man who is being hunted and later will be king over a nation where everyone wants them off the map. The one thing we can learn from this is lean into David and believe in God’s divine plan for your life. That does not mean be reckless, but don’t worry about things you cannot control.

Before we leave this your health and heart is something YOU CAN control! Don’t think for a minute that God has a plan and it will happen. If we do not follow God in our eating, finances and general moralistic lives our plan may not be fulfilled if we are fat, broke and suffering some STD!

Verse 56:1 is something I pray often:

Show mercy to me, O God, because people are crushing me—
    grinding me down like dirt underfoot—all day long.
    No matter what I do, I can’t get myself out from under them.

I personally need to pray this in earnest at least once a week. Fortunately mostly it’s “mental attitude” sins which if not arrested quickly can lead the body into some dark places. It freaks me out that “thoughts” can equal the same physical sin. My biggest “mental” sin is looking at other women. I have learned over the years to keep my eyes glued on Katy but simple things like an attractive host of a news show that interests me starts to make that show off limits. Advertisements are the most dangerous since they just show up and I need to be quick on the refresh. I would not dishonor my wife in a physical act and try my hardest not to do so in a mental act as well.

Jesus said looking at another woman with lust is no different than sleeping with her for a reason.