relationships (Psalm 140:1-13) True Security

(Psalm 140:1-13) 

1   Rescue me, Lord, from evil people;
     Protect me from violent men 
2   Who devise evil things in their hearts;
     They continually stir up wars.
3   They sharpen their tongues like a snake;
     The venom of a viper is under their lips. Selah 

4   Keep me, Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
     Protect me from violent men 
     Who intend to trip up my feet.
5   The proud have hidden a trap for me, and snares;
     They have spread a net at the wayside;
     They have set snares for me. Selah 

6   I said to the Lord, “You are my God;
     Listen, Lord, to the sound of my pleadings.
7   God the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
     You have covered my head on the day of battle.
8   Do not grant, Lord, the desires of the wicked;
     Do not bring about his evil planning, so that they are not exalted. Selah 

9   “As for the head of those who surround me,
     May the harm of their lips cover them.
10 May burning coals fall upon them;
     May they be cast into the fire,
     Into bottomless pits from which they cannot rise.
11 May a slanderer not endure on the earth;
     May evil hunt a violent person violently.”

12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
     And justice for the poor.
13 Certainly the righteous will give thanks to Your name;
     The upright will dwell in Your presence.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

"Selah" means that we are to pause and think about these things.  David was referring to issues that he was facing, which were huge!  Instead of hastily rushing into some fray or trap, David stopped to think, and to pray.  And then he waited, trusting in God to handle things, since the Lord is all-powerful, and He does care.

There is false security in thinking that we are safe by living in certain areas of a city or out in the countryside, surrounding ourselves with security cameras, etc.  But our own physical wisdom and strength is very limited, and there is evil everywhere.  NOT that we should live in fear or worry.  In fact, God tells us to fear Him, and then we do not - should not - be afraid or worry about anyone or anything else.  The key here is that we find our security in the Lord, and in His wisdom and strength.  This does not mean that we should test God and do silly things like walk into back alleys and flash around money, or act out in menacing ways.  That would not be wise.

Wisdom is to live in God's will.  This is discovered through reading His word, praying, and asking Him to guide us and help us, in every situation... even before we find ourselves in a situation.  We can know that God will hear and answer these prayers, since He wants us to remain obedient and steadfast in Him.  And because we can know and be so very sure that we cannot lose our salvation, we should be so very thankful to the Lord.  When we are on the Lord's side, He is on our side!  Therefore, we can and should go to the Lord for everything.