April 26, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are taking 21 days as a church to focus on\nprayer. During this time we are going to use the prayer and songbook of the\npeople of God, the Psalms. Read and meditate on the psalm each day with us and\nthen, in response, pray that Psalm in your own words. Our devotional authors\nhave provided an example of their own prayer of the psalm to help! Our desire\nis to see our people grow in their prayer life during this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 17 is a special use of the\npsalm of lament; it is a prayer of protection and a protest of innocence. Though\nDavid sometimes suffered under the heavy hand of God due to unconfessed sin in\nhis life, there were other occasions in which he insists that his present\ntroubles are not caused by any fault in his life. In such a case he calls upon\nGod to vindicate him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
God indicates through this psalm\nthat He has special concern for people who experience undeserved suffering,\neven though He allows the trouble to come for reasons that may never be known\nin this life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
David\u2019s prayer begins with a plea\nfor vindication. By protesting his innocence, David hopes to convince God to\nmove on his behalf and deliver him from his trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In verses 3-5, David acknowledges\nGod\u2019s testing. God knows David\u2019s needs as well as what is in his heart; David\u2019s\nprayer helps him to focus on the source of his strength and reaffirm his determination\nto live a pure life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In verses 6-9 David presents in poetic\nlanguage the mercy of God. David asks for God to show the wonder of His great\nlove and hide him in the shadow of His wings. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
David renews his plea for\nvindication in verses 13-14. In the last verse David, having rejected the idea\nthat the pleasures of this life are ultimately fulfilling, anticipates the day\nwhen he will awake in glory and be made in the likeness of God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This psalm is a protest of\ninjustice and a plea to God for His justice to prevail. Christians can be\nequally honest with God in prayer: taking our concerns about injustice and\nsuffering to God is a basic part of the Christian response to evil and\nsuffering! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we experience injustice, we can\napproach God, knowing that eventually He will<\/em> correct the situation. And\nwhile we may not see that correction in this life, we can rest assured that God\nwill one day correct all<\/em> injustice and have complete victory!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Psalm 17 then pray, seek God\u2019s\nprotection, and be honest with God. It will make a difference in your\nrelationship with Him and in your prayer life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n