SCRIPTURE: Psalm 70
Just because this prayer is in the bible, does not mean it fully expresses God’s heart.
God includes it in the bible because if fully expresses David’s heart, it is a real, raw, desperate prayer.
It does express God’s heart for the poor and needy, and His anger at injustice and cruelty.
But it does not express God’s mercy, as evidenced by Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:34).
If God treated people as their sins deserve, then none of us (including David) could survive.
“Bless those who hurt you. Bless them, and do not call down curses on them.” (Romans 12:14)
God is merciful to the poor and needy (David), but He is also merciful to the sinful and hurtful (also David).
God does not approve of sin, God hates anything that hurts those He loves.
Thankfully God’s hatred for sin does not trump His love for sinners.
In the end, only those who absolutely refuse to reject hate and evil, who absolutely refuse to accept God and good, who absolutely refuse to enter into God’s love and mercy, will be “turned back in shame”.
God will not punish them because He hates them, but He will give them what they want.
C.S. Lewis says it well:
“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened.”
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, thank You that You hear the prayer of the desperate, even when it does not fully reflect Your heart. Thank You for Your mercy for all, including me. Your will is that no one would perish – may Your will be done!
Observations/Application
Our Help is the Lord.
David in being pursued goes to the Lord in prayer. Those going against His will be turned back. But all those who seek God be glad for He is great and greatly to be praised.
In all times, God is my Refuge and Strength. He is my Help and Deliverer. May I feel and sense His presence at all times. My Help- is the Lord Who made the heavens and the earth. There is none greater than my God.
Prayer
Help me each day Lord to seek You anew so that I walk each day with You in all times. Guide me by Your Spirit to sing songs of praises.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
In the city of our God,
In the mountain of His holiness.
Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.
Is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.