PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 17
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face!” (Psalm 17:15)
These remind me of the words of Job, when he was in a tough place.
“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes — I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27)
Both Job and David couldn’t see God, but they held on to the hope of seeing God.
Job was facing horrible loss and disease; David was facing terrible injustice and abuse.
Both of them claimed innocence, that they did not deserve what they were getting.
They were hanging on for dear life, yet expecting to see God at the finish line.
We do not deny need to the problems, or act as if they weren’t real.
But neither do we have to give them the last word, or surrender to them in defeat.
Till our dying breath, we can refuse to let go, we can cling to this hope.
Jesus has guaranteed it for us; He was forsaken by God so that we would not be.
And He saw the face of God after it all; He now sits with God, and looks toward us.
Hang in there, you will get through this, fix your eyes on Jesus, you will see Him!
PRAYER
Lord, my struggle is different from others, but my struggle is still real. When I am tired, when I want to quit, when the Enemy heaps discouragement and defeat on me, may this hope keep me looking to You!
Total trust that God will justify – that God will protect. So often I want to take things under my control – but at times it is out of my hands! David trusted totally – and even then he had times when he faltered. I too falter – Ps 17 reminds me that God is control and he will settle the matter. Like David I must always look to him – when I am weak – he is strong! I must persevere – hang on to God’s promises!
I am reminded of a book after reading this Psalm – Take a hold of God and pull. I need to walk in His SonShine all the time and realize that I am never alone. He is always there. And as I journey this day
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior!
I come to Thee.
Lord God almighty you know me, you see me when I seat or stand, awake or asleep, working or resting. I struggle Lord to be what you want me to be. But just like Jacob I will never let go. I ask for your blessings in this mission that I am about to launch. My strength, my hope, my victory is in you Lord Jesus. Help me Lord to keep looking up to you and depend on you.