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by Sandy Shaw
In Psalm 5 at verse 7, we learn that King David is not going to remain on the outside when it comes to Worship. He is not a man to stand on the fringe. He is going to come into the centre of things - in the place of mercy and blessing. He is going to be where he knows he will find help and strength, and he is going to approach God with reverence and respect.
We do not just rush into His Presence. There is a time for separation - a time to come apart and be with God.
David is not ashamed to come in his need - nor embarrassed to come and worship His God and His King. David is a man of action. He makes a decision and then acts.
There are such helpful principles in these few words.
Verse 8 - David also realises how much he needs God. "Lead me." We need Jesus to lead us and guide us. Lead me in your right ways - make my way straight and not crooked - make my path plain and clear for me to see.
God gives leadership so that we may lead others.
Why does David pray this? Because of his enemies! David does not want to be like his enemies. He does not want his enemies to get him down.
At such times, God senses and feels our pain.
Jesus, when faced by a man with leprosy, was so moved. Think of the emotion displayed too when Lazarus died.
Why are men of God in trouble so often - simply because they are men of God!
Men of God are involved in spiritual warfare. They become the object and target of the attacks of the enemy, and we are aware of snares and traps. That is why we need God to guide us and lead us and protect us. We will not be spared conflict, but we do need to know that Jesus Christ is with us.
As soon as Jesus was baptised in the Jordan River He was led by the Spirit into the desert to face the tempter. As soon as Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit He was involved in spiritual warfare.
Verse 9 - David speaks to God about his enemies - not a word that comes from their mouths can be trusted. Their hearts are wicked. Now that is not a very nice thing to say, and that will not be accepted by many in these present days, but it happens to be true. Their throat is an open grave. When they speak they produce death. Their words are deceiving and piercing and they can penetrate deeply and sorely.
Mouth - throat - tongue - are used to destroy the heart.
When we face increasing opposition and antagonism remember these challenging realities.
Verse 10 - Here we have a picture of a courtroom, and the verdict is 'guilty'.
Deal with them, O God. Catch them in their own traps. They have rebelled against You. That is the problem.
David sees his enemies as being the enemies of God.
The Psalms give us a correct view of God, which must be the foundation for all our beliefs. They touch us where we need to be touched, and they speak to us words which we need to hear.
Verse 11 - Our responsibility is to take refuge, and we can read all this with New Testament terminology.
David speaks about those who cling to Christ Jesus - our Rock - our refuge. Faith has a rich reward. Let them sing.
You protect them. God gives protection. This is wonderful.
It is as if we stand upon holy ground, and in one sense we are. Let those who love Your Name rejoice.
At the beginning of the Psalm David was crying and weeping, but now there is a note of joy and gladness and singing. His praying has moved into praising.
Worship and prayer affects changes within us, and we see that in the Psalms.
David prayed and looked and watched and waited, and now the answer is flowing. God is visiting him and refreshing him and reassuring him.
Verse 12 - Again there is blessing. King David has confidence in God, and he knows that God will protect and shield, and His favour and grace surrounds.
God will shelter. We will certainly face hard times, and there is a certainty about this when we face hard times. People need to be taught this time and time again and given confidence and reassurance from the Scriptures.
As I write this I see that times are going to become harder and harder for disciples of the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and it would be wise to prepare now.
Soldiers always prepare in times of peace for times of war!
Who does He bless? Our answer lies in the concluding sentence and again in New Testament terms we understand that those who are robed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ and surrounded with grace and favour as with a shield, are richly blessed.
Whatever you may be facing, let the grace of God bless you and continue to serve in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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