This leader, who is about to become king, or who has already been installed as king, prays in a most positive and significant way, and he is so specific and direct.
Save me from those who would persecute me. Keep me safe. Hide me, and thereby protect me.
Phrase after phrase was so necessary because he was a target of the enemy.
David is in danger, but his faith is in God. When you are in danger, put your faith in Almighty God, through Jesus Christ His Son. These thoughts come from Psalm 17 and they are so relevant and so very practical.
Most leaders face criticism and opposition and sometimes even persecution from those who are jealous and envious.
David was strong, but he knew where his strength came from, and his strength came from the living God.
In verses 9 to 12, David speaks about his persecutors. He refers to their cunning wickedness, and the way they speak so proudly, and how they are like hungry lions ready to pounce at the first opportunity. These lines are quite graphic, as they speak about the emotional pain the man of God can be in at times.
Why is all this not taught in the various leadership courses and seminars being offered today? Might it be because there is an ethical and moral and spiritual dimension involved and tragically so many choose to steer clear of that?
Peter tells us how the devil walks around like a roaring lion seeking to pounce upon someone, and devour those who belong to Jesus Christ.
The Bible clearly warns us about the power of evil.
In verse 13, we read of David praying again. Come Lord and conquer those people who try to blow out the light. Defend and deliver Your Servants. What a change in the way David is praying now!
David prays for the defeat of the false accusers, and for his own deliverance.
How often do you pray for the defeat of those who are attacking you with no just cause and for your own safe deliverance out of their wicked hands?
What a different world we might have if these basics were taught in all the business courses and seminars.
In verse 15 of Psalm 17, we have the words of a man who has made up his mind that in the Lord God there is everything he needs.
He has been weeping, but now he is worshipping.
He has been praying, but now he is praising, and his faith is overflowing.
David knew what it was to be down or depressed or even worse. Now he is delighted and seeing the face of God inspires him. Here is real manly leadership!
The Lord who hears his prayers, and loves him, and He, the living God, comes to rescue him and deliver him from all his enemies and foes and persecutors. This is indeed the Lord God Almighty, Who is worthy of praise and worship.
David is going to be satisfied. When it is all over and when he wakes up, he sees his God. Is he referring to death? Or can it also mean that this is like a bad dream and like some of the nightmare scenarios we experience in life, and we wish they would pass and that we would wake up only to find it was only a bad dream. It is a bit of a mixture, but the truth shines through no matter what we experience.
When these sore and painful situations are all over we will see the Hand of God and how He has led us through the valleys and over the dangerous rocks. That will be a day of great and magnificent rejoicing!
Sandy Shaw
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
Save me from those who would persecute me. Keep me safe. Hide me, and thereby protect me.
Phrase after phrase was so necessary because he was a target of the enemy.
David is in danger, but his faith is in God. When you are in danger, put your faith in Almighty God, through Jesus Christ His Son. These thoughts come from Psalm 17 and they are so relevant and so very practical.
Most leaders face criticism and opposition and sometimes even persecution from those who are jealous and envious.
David was strong, but he knew where his strength came from, and his strength came from the living God.
In verses 9 to 12, David speaks about his persecutors. He refers to their cunning wickedness, and the way they speak so proudly, and how they are like hungry lions ready to pounce at the first opportunity. These lines are quite graphic, as they speak about the emotional pain the man of God can be in at times.
Why is all this not taught in the various leadership courses and seminars being offered today? Might it be because there is an ethical and moral and spiritual dimension involved and tragically so many choose to steer clear of that?
Peter tells us how the devil walks around like a roaring lion seeking to pounce upon someone, and devour those who belong to Jesus Christ.
The Bible clearly warns us about the power of evil.
In verse 13, we read of David praying again. Come Lord and conquer those people who try to blow out the light. Defend and deliver Your Servants. What a change in the way David is praying now!
David prays for the defeat of the false accusers, and for his own deliverance.
How often do you pray for the defeat of those who are attacking you with no just cause and for your own safe deliverance out of their wicked hands?
What a different world we might have if these basics were taught in all the business courses and seminars.
In verse 15 of Psalm 17, we have the words of a man who has made up his mind that in the Lord God there is everything he needs.
He has been weeping, but now he is worshipping.
He has been praying, but now he is praising, and his faith is overflowing.
David knew what it was to be down or depressed or even worse. Now he is delighted and seeing the face of God inspires him. Here is real manly leadership!
The Lord who hears his prayers, and loves him, and He, the living God, comes to rescue him and deliver him from all his enemies and foes and persecutors. This is indeed the Lord God Almighty, Who is worthy of praise and worship.
David is going to be satisfied. When it is all over and when he wakes up, he sees his God. Is he referring to death? Or can it also mean that this is like a bad dream and like some of the nightmare scenarios we experience in life, and we wish they would pass and that we would wake up only to find it was only a bad dream. It is a bit of a mixture, but the truth shines through no matter what we experience.
When these sore and painful situations are all over we will see the Hand of God and how He has led us through the valleys and over the dangerous rocks. That will be a day of great and magnificent rejoicing!
Sandy Shaw
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
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