Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 69
Have you ever felt like you were drowning? I remember as a kid jumping into pool and seeing how far I could swim under water without coming up for air. A lot of it was a mind game as you told your lungs that you could go a little further. Then finally you would come up for air and breathe that precious air into your lungs with gasps of relief. David felt in this Psalm as if he was drowning in the undeserved hatred and disdain of his enemies. Even King Saul, who he loved and longed to serve, was so jealous of God’s obvious favor and grace on David that he threw a spear at David. All throughout David’s life he faced “friends” and “family” who would turn on David and lead the people to turn against their king. David felt that he would have died if God had not rescued him and saved him.(vs. 1-4) David feared that those who associated with him as followers of God would be brought down by their relationship with him. Even his own family was ashamed to associate with him.(vs. 8)
We are taught how to pray during these times: 13 But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Our prayer of faith should recognize God’s timing of grace and favor, His unfailing love, and His sure salvation. This is the foundation of our prayer to the Lord as we cry for His lovingkindness and tender mercies to rescue and save us.(vs. 16) Our confidence and trust in the Lord allows us to hold our breath as long as it takes for the Lord to bring us to the surface and provide us breath again. We are reminded in verses 19-21 that God sees and knows our troubles and the unfair and terrible treatment of our enemies. We can trust in the fact that He will bring justice and righteousness back into our lives through His judgment on those who reject Him and bring harm to His loved ones.(vs. 21-29)
I pray that my response will be one of praise, glory, and thanksgiving. Psalms 69:30-32, 30 I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. 32 The poor will see and be glad– you who seek God, may your hearts live!
(NIV) The real answer to the overwhelming drowning in depression, despair and frustration is to pray and then praise the Lord for His rescue and salvation, even when it seems that He hasn’t acted on our behalf. We can trust in His timing and His grace, mercy and lovingkindness even when the waters are over our head!
Father, I must admit that during this time of struggle in our nation, I have felt like I am drowning in the hatred and lies of the enemy. Forgive me for not remembering that You have always been there for me and will continue to rescue me in Your perfect timing and grace. May the meditation of my mind and the worship of my lips be totally Yours. In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob