Trust: “God is My Helper”

Today’s reading is Psalm 54.

In this psalm, David trusted God.

He had six hundred warriors with him. He had the friendship of Jonathan. However, when he extolled his helpers, the one that mattered was God.

Apparently, the translations of Psalm 54:4 fall into two camps. The more literal camp, which allow God to be “with” or “among” David’s helpers. The more theocentric camp, which have God alone helping David. The latter want us to understand God’s help is singularly significant. The former want us to recognize our other helpers only matter if God is helping.

Psalm 118:7 brings to mind this point from Psalm 54. Psalm 118:7a says, “The Lord is on my side as my helper,” bringing Psalm 54:4 to mind. Psalm 118:7b says, “I shall look in triumph on those who hate me,” bring to mind Psalm 54:7, “my eye has looked in triumph on my enemy.” If we continue reading in Psalm 118 we find, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes” (ESV).

I may receive help from many sources, unless God is one of them and behind all of them, though they be an army of thousands, their help counts for little. I may receive help from few sources, even only one, but if God is that one, it is more than an army of thousands.

Trust God. He is the helper that counts.

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 54.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. Do you find other reasons to trust God from Psalm 54? If so, what are they?
3. What hinders trusting God when we face trouble as David did?
4. What advice would you give others to increase our trust in God even in the face of difficulties like David’s?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?

Admonition: “Hear My Prayer”

Today’s reading is Psalm 54.

To admonish is to warn, to encourage, to instruct. Often it is a charge to stop an action. However, we can also be admonished to start an action. While the psalms rarely give commands as such, the examples set by these ancient saints admonish us and instruct us.

The heading of this psalm attributes it to when the Ziphites told Saul, “Is not David hiding among us?” This happened twice: 1 Samuel 23:19 and 26:1. Between these two betrayals, David had his near battle with Nabal (1 Samuel 25). Abigail wisely interceded on David’s behalf (notice I did not say on Nabal’s). Abigail kept David from “saving with your own hand” (1 Samuel 25:26). Psalm 54 is all about this.

When faced with the double betrayal of the Ziphites and two opportunities to kill Saul, David refused to save with his own hand. Instead, he prayed. “O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.”

We are told not to take vengeance, but to leave it to God (Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30). We must pray, not attack. If God is our helper, we must seek His help.

This is not to say we do not act. When David prayed God would thwart the counsel of Ahithophel during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:31), he also sent Hushai to thwart Ahithophel’s counsel (2 Samuel 15:33-37). However, David did not rely on Hushai, he relied on God. Thus, the prayer.

What are you facing today? Have you prayed?

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 54.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. Are you admonished in any other ways from Psalm 54? If so, how?
3. Why pray?
4. What advice would you give to others to increase prayer?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?