​Perceive: Once again our hero is facing a difficult circumstance, and he asks the Lord to rescue him from his enemies and praises the Lord for hearing his prayer. It could have happened during the time leading up to Absalom's rebellion, but no one knows for sure. It has two main sections. In the first section, David asks the Lord for two things: 1-he cries out to God to hear his voice and complaint and 2-to punish the wicked according to their evil (1-5). In the second section, David talked to the Lord about two things: 1-he blessed and praised the Lord for hearing and answering his prayer, 2-he calls on the Lord to bless His people and lead them for eternity (6-9). In a lot of David's psalms, we see him demonstrating prayer with patience.
 
Practice: One wonders how much David’s son absorbed during his youth regarding some of his father’s friendships that turned out poorly. Later he would write, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:6). For some people, it is easy to pretend they are your friend. Wicked people are pros at this. They want their agenda and will do just about anything to get it. It is an unfortunate part of leadership that makes people in high positions targets of false friendships. David was aware that God would punish these kinds of people and he prays for them in this psalm. As a godly man in the local church, you should be forthright and sincere with both men and women in and out of the church.
 
Pray: O Lord, my God, thank You for the many great friends in my current life and in the years to come. Guard me against the wicked. 

Perceive: In this psalm, David expresses confidence in God’s protection, even though his enemies surround him. He probably wrote this when he was exiled from his home and being hunted by King Saul.  There are four sections. In the first section, David places his trust in the Lord to save him, give him strength, and not fear (1-3). In the second section, he expresses his desire to be back in the Temple where he can behold the Lord and sing praises to his God (4-6). In the third section, he cries out to God to reveal Himself and answer his prayers (7-10). In the fourth section, he wants God to teach and lead him and fill him with courage (11-14). In this psalm, David shows us that when we know the Lord and trust Him, He helps us overcome the fears that can paralyze our lives.
 
Practice: All of us have moments where fear grips our life. It tends to envelop our mind and imprison us within ourselves. Studies show there are three things that cause fear: 1-distrust of divine protection, 2-failure to trust the political world, and 3-presence of personal danger. When we allow one or more of these fearful situations to fill us with emotion, it tends to induce the mind with anxiety and distress. From there we want to alleviate the situation and are tempted to see quick resolutions without examining the long-range consequences. Fear also brings out deceit and hypocrisy. At these times we should pray for help to be confident in Gods power and promises.
 
Pray: Thank You, Lord, for power and promises, help me see Your hand in my life and turn fear into faith, panic into courage. 
​
Available at Amazon.com