At the end of the day.
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If we carefully observe , we’ll conclude that it is surely related to . Absalom was persecuting David to kill him. David was hiding in the wilderness and depending on God for his protection. He prayed at the beginning of the day () and at the end of the day ().
What better moment to connect with God in prayer that when we go to bed? In the quietness of the night and in the midst of darkness, when there are no distractions and interruptions, we may freely talk to our Creator.
Prayer allows us to pour out our hearts without fear of being misjudged or misunderstood.
When do most come to God in prayer? When they are in trouble!
David’s life was in danger! Absalom’s troop could show up at any moment and kill, not only David, but also his soldiers. Therefore, he comes to God in prayer, evening prayer.
His prayer was...
A cry of desperation.
A cry of desperation.
“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!” 1a
Addressed to the right person.
Addressed to the right person.
Pagans would come to Baal (the lord of flies), Moloch (the lord of fire), or the Ashera (the female deity, also called Queen of Heaven), but David knew that those were idols used by the devil to keep away people from the true God.
Those idols were described in and as lifeless:
Their idols are silver and gold, The work of man’s hands. They have mouths, but they cannot speak; They have eyes, but they cannot see; They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell; They have hands, but they cannot feel; They have feet, but they cannot walk; They cannot make a sound with their throat.
Psa 115:4-7
Therefore, David’s trust was in Elohim, the creator of heaven and earth. It is to Him that David comes in prayer.
therefore, his trust was in Elohim, the creator. It is to Him that David comes in prayer.
Recalling His previous care.
Recalling His previous care.
“You have relieved me in my distress;” 1b
One of the things that strengthen our faith is to remember some of the blessings we have received from God; and I say some because His blessings are so many that we would have enough time to recall them all.
On , the writer reminds the people of all the great things God did for them since the times of Abraham and calls them to remember them:
Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,
Psa 105:5
When we forget God’s blessings, we tend to go astray!
David had not forgotten God’s protection! If God had saved him from lions and wolves when he was a shepherd, saved him from Goliath, and saved him from Saul and his army, God could also save him from Absalom.
Has God taken care of you in the past? He’ll do the same now too!
Begging for His grace.
Begging for His grace.
“Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.” 1c
No matter the seriousness of the situation, he could not ask for justice. He would lose if he did because if God were to apply justice, He would apply it not only to Absalom, but also to David. And David knew all the evil things he had done.
The reality is that God does not have to hear our prayers. If He does it is because He is gracious, merciful, and compassionate (which are other meanings of the Hebrew word “hanan”).
It was because of His love, grace, mercy, and compassion that the Father sent His son Jesus Christ to take our place at the cross.
A warning to all men.
A warning to all men.
Warning about vanity and deception.
Warning about vanity and deception.
“...How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?” 2b
Absalom had obtained the favor of the people by discrediting David with lies. He told them that the king would not listen to them about their problems.
Is lying one of your weaknesses? Lying comes from the devil, the father of all lies.
An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
What is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.
What was Absalom seeking with his lies? To become king! To enjoy the comforts, the wealth, and the power of a king!
Solomon call those things “vanity of vanities”.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
1 john 2:16-17
Those things are temporary! Unfortunately, that’s what many Christians are seeking instead of seeking a closer relationship with God.
About God’s favor for the godly.
About God’s favor for the godly.
“But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;” 3
The “hasidim”, the faithful, the godly, the loyal are rewarded by God because God is just.
A life of obedience to God will always be rewarded by God. David was reestablished as king!
But the wicked (wickedness is disobedience) will never end up well. Absalom’s long hair got stuck to a branch of a tree and David’s soldiers had it easy shooting his arrows to kill him.
Calling them to rectify their ways.
Calling them to rectify their ways.
“Tremble and do not sin.” 4a
The majesty of the Lord should makes us tremble before His presence:
The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!
and make us afraid of sinning. It is better to tremble now than trembling in the day of judgment.
and make us afraid of sinning
“Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.” 4b
(talk to your pillow). The end of the day is a perfect time to make a recount of our deeds, of our life, etc.
With what purpose? Verse 5 may answer that question: “to offer sacrifices of righteousness”. To rectify our ways! To do what pleases God (sacrifices of righteousness); in other words, to be obedient to God.
Like David, we might say, “I am doing what I can, I am doing what I think is right, but we must trust in the Lord. 5
The joy and peace in the Lord.
The joy and peace in the Lord.
Do not despair, the Lord is good.
Do not despair, the Lord is good.
Maybe his men were losing hope and were saying, “who will show us any good?” v. 6
Sometimes we feel like that! We give to others, we help others, but it seems that no one does good to us.
Those might be good moments to remember the advise of Paul to the Galatians and the Thessalonians:
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Gal 6:9
The joy of the Lord is better than wealth.
The joy of the Lord is better than wealth.
“You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound.” 7
David knew that joy (gladness) does not depend on material things or in what we have, but on the presence of the Lord in our life. When he was reigning, he had abundance; now he was in hiding in the desert and was short of supplies. But he would not lose the gladness!
Paul, the apostle, also knew that! He told the Philippians:
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
Phil 4:11-12
Illust. Interview with Muhammad Ali after he retired.
“I had the world, and it didn’t mean a thing.”
Inner peace gives us a good sleep.
Inner peace gives us a good sleep.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” 8
Although he was surrounded by his personal guards, he knew that there is no better formula to sleep than having a clear conscience plus trusting in God for your protection.
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To have a clear conscience: fear the Lord, live righteously and with integrity. Trust in God: He loves you and has promise never leaving you nor forsaking you.
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