Psalm
52 reminds me of one of those hidden video sting operations. It is
written about a man that used David’s lie to propel himself to
power. Very few of us have ever done anything that caused other
people to die. We understand having our trust betrayed and we
understand how the lust for power can drive people to extreme
actions. This psalm describes a man named Doeg who had observed
David deceive a Temple priest in order to get bread. Doeg took that
information to King Saul. According to 1 Samuel 22, in order to win
the favor of King Saul, “Doeg
the Edomite… That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen
ephod… its men and women, its children and infants“.
David’s deception gave credibility to this creep. The psalm
begins, “Why
do you boast of evil, you mighty man… you who are a disgrace in the
eyes of God?“.
It must have haunted David to think that it was his action that
elevated Doeg to prominence. He continues, “Your
tongue plots destruction… You love evil rather than good…
You
love every harmful word“.
Do you know people that love to spread the dirt about everyone else?
I often think, “What do they say about me when I am not here?”.
David says of these sorts, “Surely
God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up
and tear you from your tent“.
David points out the root of this man and those like him, “Here
now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his
great wealth“.
We have the ability to use words to lift up others, or tear them
down. Ephesians 4:29 encourages followers of Christ this way, “Do
not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what
is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it
may benefit those who listen“.
Are you building up others?
.Psalm
53 is very short and to the point. I believe this was written later
in David’s life, after dealing with many kinds of people. People
of faith are labeled hypocrites when they stumble, but David
declares, “The
fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are
corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good“.
Simply put, those that deny God create their own standards and they
evaluate everyone and everything by their situational ethics. Many
times these people loath believers, refusing to even consider God’s
truth. David adds this amazing perspective of our gracious God, “God
looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who
understand, any who seek God“.
This is why Jesus taught, “For
everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who
knocks, the door will be opened”
(Matthew 7:8). Those of us that have tried being “good” on our
own have learned that we fall so short of God’s standard, “there
is no one who does good, not even one“.
Never forget that God desires every one of us to call Him Lord.
He concludes with this word of encouragement, “God
restores the fortunes of His people“.
Do you believe that?
Psalm
54
reminds
us that
when
we put our faith in action we take the risk of being exposed. Many
wonderful people quietly live a life of faith filled with joy and
intimacy with God. Sometimes we have to step out in faith and take
action. The psalm references 1 Samuel 23 where David and his men
followed God’s leading by defending an outpost in Israel, but they
were then pursued by the army of Saul. The Psalm read, “Save
me, O God, by Your name… Hear my prayer, O God…ruthless men seek
my life…
the Lord is the One who sustains me“.
God miraculously saves David and his men and his faith is
strengthened, “I
will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good.
For
He has delivered me from all my troubles“.
Matthew 5:14-15 remind us of our obligation to live a out our faith
before others, “You
are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they
put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In
the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your
good deeds and praise your Father in heaven“.
Maybe today God is calling you to take a stand. Are you willing?