Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
1 “O LORD I have come to YOU for protection; do not let me be put to shame. Rescue me, for YOU always do what is right. 2 Bend down and listen to me, rescue me quickly. Be for me a great rock of safety, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. 3 YOU are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of YOUR name, lead me out of this peril. 4 Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in YOU alone. 5 I entrust my spirit into YOUR hand. Rescue me, LORD, for YOU are a faithful GOD. 6 I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the LORD.” ~ Psalm 31:1-6
David called on GOD to deliver him. He wanted GOD to stop those who where unjustly causing trouble. Therefore, David made his request based upon what he knew of GOD’s name, and character. Because GOD is righteous and loving, HE loves to deliver HIS people.
We say we have faith in GOD, but do we really? David’s words, “I entrust my spirit into YOUR hand”, convey his complete trust in GOD. Jesus used this phrase as He was dying on the cross – showing His absolute dependence on GOD the Father. – “Then Jesus shouted, ‘Father, I entrust My spirit into YOUR hands!’ And with those words He breathed His last.” – Luke 23:46 – Stephen repeated these words as he was being stoned to death. – “And as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’” – Acts 7:59 – Stephen was confident that in death he was simply passing from GOD’s earthly care to GOD’s eternal care. We should commit our possessions, our families, and our jobs (they belong to HIM anyway) to GOD. But first and foremost, we should commit ourselves completely to HIM.
When David brought up the subject of idol worship, he wanted to contrast his total devotion to GOD with the diluted worship offered by many Israelites. Pagan religious rituals were never completely banished from Israel and Judah, despite the efforts of David and a few other kings. Obviously a person who clung to idols could not commit his spirit into GOD’s hands. When we put today’s idols – wealth, material possessions, success – first in our lives, we cannot expect GOD’s Spirit to guide us. Wealth, power and fame have an intoxicating effect on people, making them feel self-reliant, self-secure, and independent of GOD. But this false security can be easily shattered. Do not be trapped by the false security of prosperity. Depend on GOD for your security, and you won’t be shaken if (and in some cases when) your worldly possessions disappear. – GOD is our highest authority and requires our first allegiance.
Below is David’s prayer when he was in distress and fearing the worse from his enemies. In this prayer David showed complete dependence upon GOD. A prayer like this requires our complete commitment to GOD. Are you committed?
O LORD we come to YOU for protection; do not let us be put to shame. Rescue us, for YOU always do what is right. Bend down and listen to us, rescue us quickly. Be for us a great rock of safety, a fortress where our enemies cannot reach us. YOU are our rock and our fortress. For the honor of YOUR name, lead us and guide us from evil and peril. Pull us from the trap of our enemies, for we find protection in YOU alone. We entrust our spirit into YOUR hands. Rescue us, LORD, for YOU are a faithful GOD. We hate those who worship worthless idols. We trust only in YOU, LORD.
Photo: Bryce Canyon (Utah)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
