(📕 Psalm 55: 12-14)

Psalm 55 is attributed to David’s personal lament. He pour out his distress (mental and emotional agony) that his friend and companion has turned against him . The situation described is like that of Absalom’s conspiracy against the king (2Sam 15-17).

📝 The city is in turmoil; no one can be trusted; danger is everywhere; rumors, false reports and slander are circulating freely (v 3-5, 9-11)

✅ In today’s reading text David expressed that “the insults and evil plots of an enemy can be endured but it is even more worse when a friend and companion betrays.
✅ He is being attacked by someone who worships God like him; spent time together in the house of God; fellowshipping; praying and sharing sacrificial meals. In other words ” David’s friend became his enemy”
📌 Many of us have been in this situation : “My Friend is my Enemy”, and understand David’s feelings and his desire that his enemies, including the “one who was once his friend” be judged for what they have done (v 15)

WHAT WOULD DAVID DO ❓
1️⃣ He longs for a quiet retreat (v 6-8)
David writes, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest..” v 6.
📌 We may wonder why the psalmist wishes to be like a dove rather than a powerful bird of prey like an eagle. It may be that :
✅ He sees himself as being weak as dove, which is easily hunted by both animals and humans, and always looks for a safe place.
✅ He is as innocent as a dove (Matthew 10:16)

2️⃣ He will call to God for deliverance (v 16-19)

3️⃣ He will cast all his anxiety to God (v 22)

4️⃣ He will rely on God only (“As for me, I trust in you, O Lord” v 23b)

✅ Like David we have come across such situation. We are being accused for not being loyal to Govt and its policies or spread rumours that we are tempting the poor to conversion by offering them money.

✅ It is painful when a fellow believer/ church member betrays our trust and spreading lies about us.

✅ In such situation we often desire to fly away from our troubles and to be at a place of rest (But how long ?)

✅ Like David we must declare : “As for me, I trust in the Lord”.

💞 Beloved Church, let us cast our cares on the Lord because he will never let the righteous fall (v 23) .
📌 Peter exhorts us : Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you (1Pet 5:7) . This verse is special because :
🔖 You are in this verse (“… all your”)
🔖 Your anxiety are in this verse (“.. casting all your anxiety”)
🔖 Jesus is in this verse (“.. upon Him” )
🔖 Jesus cares for you.

🙏 Claim it and Apply it because the One who cared enough to save us will care for all our cares 🛐

Glory to God 🙌
✍🏻 Mark Boje
Arunachal Pradesh, India 🇮🇳

Psalm 57 is another confident prayer to God for help from the enemy. The fierce lions that were seeking to destroy David’s life were likely Saul and his men tracking down the fleeing David, who was hiding in the cave.

Despite this terrifying situation, David ‘s
heart was quiet and confident vs 7 because he knew God:s love is steadfast. Trials such as gossip character assassination, and physical attacks may hurt us but God can heal those wounds when we turn our problems over to Him rather than responding in seeking to take revenge.

When you are being attacked or feeling vulnerable, flee like David did, But praying is very essential Through prayer you can hide under God’s protecting wings vs 1. O God have pity for I am trusting you. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this storm is past

Cynthia Sathiaraj
Chennai