7 May 2024 - Psalm 7

God is in control

Psalm 7:1-2(MSG) reads: GOD! God! I am running to you for dear life; the chase is wild. If they catch me, I’m finished: ripped to shreds by foes fierce as lions, dragged into the forest and left unlooked-for, unremembered.

David was anointed by God as king and was described as a man after God’s heart. Yet, despite this divine calling and deep connection with God, he faced numerous difficulties. Much of his life was consumed by evading enemies relentlessly chasing him. In many instances, David sought refuge in caves and caverns, hiding from those intent on taking his life. His prayers often consisted of fervent pleas to the Lord for salvation and deliverance. David knew that God was in control.

In this Psalm, we find David desperately crying out to God. His life hangs in the balance, with seemingly no escape. Yet, through his experiences, he recognised that his only genuine refuge was in the Lord. Even as adversaries come against him, David's faith never wavered. He entrusted his cause to God, confident that God, the ultimate judge, would assert his innocence.

Psalm 7:6-8(MSG) proclaims: Stand up, GOD; pit your holy fury against my furious enemies. Wake up, God. My accusers have packed the courtroom; it’s judgment time. Take your place on the bench, reach for your gavel, throw out the false charges against me. I’m ready, confident in your verdict: ‘Innocent.’

In the midst of his ordeals, David's faith remained unshaken. He perceived God as his steadfast Shield and Defender. He knew that God, in His righteousness, would vindicate the oppressed. While it's inevitable to face challenges and adversities in this world, with enemies constantly trying to dampen our spirits and undermine our faith, David constantly reminded himself and us that God remains in control. The mischief intended by oppressors will ultimately backfire on them.

David's journey through this Psalm moves from a plea for help in verse 1 to a resounding affirmation of trust and gratitude by the end, as expressed in Psalm 7:17(MSG): I’m thanking God, who makes things right. I’m singing the fame of heaven-high GOD.