Psalm 7 Continued…
Psalm 7 opens with these words: “O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.” (Psalm 7:1-2)
David’s opening words of this psalm are a recognition that God is his thick-walled fortress, his canopy to protect him from the rain, his safe place. He utilizes this imagery of God in many of his Psalms actually (11:1; 16:1; 57:1). John Calvin rendered that phrase simply, “In Thee do I trust.” Some scholars suggest it is a reference to seeking refuge in the Temple.
Because Cush lied about David, he was pursued and persecuted by Saul. So, David fled to the Lord for refuge because the Lord knew David was innocent from accusation. His references to the lion ripping apart its prey in verse 2 beckon memories of David’s days protecting his father’s sheep from dangerous beasts. David told Saul about moments like this when he was talking to Saul before facing Goliath: But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” (1 Samuel 17:34-37)
David made an important move. Saul’s judgment of him was false and David decided to trust wholeheartedly in the Lord in these wrongful attacks. When today, people falsely accuse us and create problems for us, we should follow David’s example and find refuge in the Lord. But let’s be sure that we are suffering wrongfully and not because of our own foolishness or disobedience.
As we run to the Lord as our refuge, let’s remember what Jesus said about those who falsely accuse us: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12) The apostle Peter shared a similar thought: “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord…so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:13-17)
PRAY
Father, thank you for allowing me to always be able to run to you in my times of trouble.