INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 54
"In this world we face the malice of men to the temptations of the devil from within. Thank God we can rest in the `shadow of the Almighty'." Walter Hilton, 1396
We all have them: ZIPHITES - people who feel free to malign us, betray us or do the dirty on us."Difficult people" are probably the most challenging of problems we face in our lives; and these leave to negative fears, angers and feelings that often overwhelm our whole being.
In this maskil Psalm David gives us some practical advice on how to respond to these problems:
1. REMIND YOURSELF WHO GOD IS. He is omnipotent, faithful and loving. He is our helper and sustainer.
"Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me." Psalm 54:3 (NIV)
2. LEAVE VENGEANCE IN GOD'S HANDS. Do not plot revenge. Maintain your integrity like David, and remember to leave the `removing of enemies' up to God.
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is right as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, `It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord." Romans 12:17-19 (NIV)
3. REST IN WORSHIP. The overall answer to troublesome `Ziphites' - human or demonic - is settling your mind on the Father's boundless love and faithfulness - resting as David did, in PRAISE AND WORSHIP.
"I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph over all my enemies."
Psalm 54:6&7 (NIV)
"Father, minister to our fear and anger. Douse our pain with your love. Reassure us that you will not abandon us. Thank you for your loving and protecting arm." Author Unknown.
HISTORY - Read 1 Samuel 23:14-36
We have heard this story before: David was being chased by the murderous, jealous King Saul and his soldiers. David feared for his life and was desperate for a place where he would be safe. This time he chose the desert, hill country of the Zipphites.
The Hill of Hachilah appeared safe and it was in neutral country; until the Zipphites turned against him and reported his location to Saul. David fled to the wilderness of Maon, but soon found himself surrounded by `strangers' - the Zipphites; and `enemys' - Saul's soldiers.
Can't you just picture David: dirty, sweaty, hungry, thirsty, exhausted, betrayed, scared and discouraged. Slumped beside a rock in the desert sun. Feeeling led by the Holy Spirit, David pours out his inner feelings in this psalm.
REMINDING MYSELF WHO GOD IS - Read Psalm 54:1-4
David begins this psalm, as he often does, seeking God's presence. He was in fear, surrounded by `strangers' and what he knew to be `violent men'. The `violent men' he referred to were Saul's soldiers whom he had once served alongside - men he trusted. The `strangers' were the Zipphites, who for no known reason to David had betrayed him to Saul. David struggled to understand why these men would take sides with Saul against him.
But rather than spend too long dwelling on these `evil men', David sought his omnipotent God, whom he knew was more powerful than anyone who would come against him.
"You, dear children, are from God, and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (NIV)
He knew God would be his HELPER AND SUSTAINER? Why - because He was faithful and had never let him down before.
The Hebrew word for `helper' is `ezer' which means `one who provides indispensible help, without which a person would be hopelessly doomed.' (C.R Swindoll, 2012). David knew and it is true for us too, that the Lord will supply all that is needed for us to survive all enemy attacks. The Lord is our sustainer; the Hebrew word based on the idea of having someone we can lean on for support.
These verses are examples of David's faith. What did he immediately do when under attack - HE PRAYED. He asked for strength and stability from the triumphant God who was STRONGER, CLOSER AND more FAITHFUL than any `strangers', `violent', ruthless, cruel' men.
LEAVE VENGEANCE IN GOD'S HAND'S - Read Psalm 54:5, 1 Samuel 23:25-34
"Let my enemies be punished with their own evil. Destroy them because you are loyal to me."
Psalm 54:5 (CEV)
Let vengeance be God's. David wants his enemies to be punished but he does not want to lose his integrity by punishing them at his own hand. It is easy to `play God' when we are under pressure, but we need to think through the temptation to take our own revenge.
In this verse we read how the Lord promises to carry out justice on David's behalf. The same is true for us. Thanks to our `faithful God', our attackers will be held accountable, and like David we can hold on to our integrity and not feel revengeful.
"As Saul and his forces were closing in on David and his men to capture him, a messenger came to Saul, saying, `Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land.' Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines......... And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Geri." 1 Samuel 23:27-29 (NIV)
According to this passage we can see that God intervened to protect David from his enemies. Because David released his enemies to God, he was able to look at them with no bitterness or resentment - LOVE HAD OVERCOME! This is LIVING BY GRACE!
Later we can see in 1 Samuel 24, when David spared Saul's life, that David was truly living this grace in action. This can be true in our lives too. It's the answer to most of our PEOPLE PROBLEMS - resentment, grudges, jealousy, revenge and hatred and it's amazing how powerful Christ focused, spirit empowered this undeserved LOVE and GRACE is.
REST IN GRACE - Read Psalm 54:6&7
David ends this Psalm, as he does with most, with words of praise and worship. It may take time, but it is possible to find peace and serenity when we let God be God. Finally, we will reach the point, as David did, when we can `give thanks, even in the midst of deep person strife.' (Lisa Beverley,2013)
David did not live in denial, but he did not let himself be consumed with the sins of his enemies. Instead, He focused on God's goodness, faithfulness and ultimate salvation from enemies - which led him to be able to REST IN WORSHIP.
Holy Bible - New International Version (2011) Biblical.com
Contemporay English Version (1995) American Bible Society
Charles R Swindoll, 2012, "Living the Psalms", Worthy Publishing
Lisa Beverley, 2013, "Girls with Swords", Waterbrook Press
AZ Quotes.com - Walter Hilton Quotes, 1396
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