…a lesson from David on safety & confidence for life…
Have we not seen and marveled at those who face great threats with great courage? Maybe we imagine that King David of ancient Israel was one of those. To imagine David facing threats with faith would be accurate for David relied upon and had faith in God for his strength. We probably make these mental assumptions by seeing the big picture and outcome of his life, that hindsight is 20/20 bit. His faith though was not because he was immune to fear or had such personal powers that he knew nothing could stand against him. He was not immune from the perception of personal and national threat and the fearfulness accompanying it.
By studying the Psalms which David composed we can see his striving. We can find in those a pathway for understanding God and how those who have completed their life made their way through it. These are important connections for life and living. Even those who think little of God will reflexively call out to him when the threats penetrate the shells and shields they have built around them. By studying what someone who thought much of and regularly called out to God we can find ways strength and steps to succeed physically and spiritually.
In Psalm 35 David is not on the offensive. He is not in superpower mode with his army gathered around him. He is on the run. The dogs are barking in the forest out there someplace and he like a fox is trying to get away. He is threatened and trying to stay alive as pursuers seek his demise.
1 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! 2 Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! 3 Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!” (Psalm 35:1-3–ESV)