Passage Read: Psalm 15-18
Meditation Verses: 17:2-4
Thought
There are times when those who love the Lord enjoy complete victory over their enemies and other times when they endure the attacks of their enemies. Perhaps it is prayers like this that turn the tide in the favor of the Lord's people. David fled for years from Saul, but in time, the Lord placed him on the throne of Israel. He and his household would suffer under the punishment of one sin, but he had the confidence here to pray to God on the basis of his righteousness, for deliverance from those who hated him.
Application
David had such confidence in his righteousness that he could pray a prayer like this. "Search me, O God; you'll find no fault." Righteousness is not so far off as we make it. But have we been so convinced otherwise that we hardly even try? It seems key in particular to control the tongue and the avoid the ways of the violent, those whose reward is in this life. If my hope is truly on the reward that comes in the next rather than in this life, I will be intent on pleasing the Lord and I will not worry so much when the desirable things of this life are kept from me or taken from me. That will go a long way to helping me control my tongue and avoid the ways of the violent. I won't care for what they care for, but for what the Lord cares for.