https://esv.literalword.com/?q=psalm+54
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 12 January 2025:
Psalm 54:1 — O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might.
In biblical times, a person’s name was more than a way of identifying them, it represented their character. Remember I Exodus Moses asked God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” The actual translation should really be, “I am that I am,” which is more fitting because it speaks more clearly to God’s self-existent and eternal nature, His self-sufficiency, unchangeableness, and absolute power. Concerning who He was, His character, God also revealed Himself to Moses as “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6, 7) Here the psalmist appeals to God’s character and might. When you are the child of the Creator, the God who is perfectly loving and limitless in abilities, you have nothing to fear.
As we seek to grow in Christlikeness, we should seek to grow in both character and abilities, appreciating that we will never achieve perfection, but we should strive nonetheless as those who have a heart for the Lord. Of David, the Bible says, “With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” (Psalm 78:72) David, “a man after his own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), was a leader of both character and competence because the greatest character trait is love, and love strives for competence and skill in order to provide the very best for others out of love. Many people care, but do they care enough to be excellent at all things for the sake of others?
Psalm 54:3 — For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves.
David’s troubles came from the Ziphites, as noted in the title of this psalm and in 1 Samuel 23:14-24. The Ziphites were Israelis; they were even of the same tribe as David (Judah). Nonetheless, they acted like ruthless strangers to David before God. Sometimes the people closest to you will treat you terribly, and this hurst the worst. Understand that God understands betrayal, and you should take your pain to Him in prayer and walk in the confidence and comfort that He is with you and will vindicate you. However, how can anyone grow into Christlike character without experiencing betrayal? How can anyone learn to love their enemies, wash the feat of their betrayers, and intercede for those dividing their garments before them, without experiencing enemies, betrayers, and persecutors?
Psalm 54:4 — Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
There is nothing else you need to know to have total love, joy, peace, thankfulness, contentment, enthusiasm, boldness, and courage through any and all circumstances. Of course, it takes faith to experience this presence of God.
Psalm 54:5 — He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them.
This verse should be a bit shocking, particularly considering Jesus taught, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you….” (Matthew 5:44) However, the psalmist was bringing to God in prayer exactly what was on His heart; there is no sense in doing anything otherwise since we pray before God fully exposed. Even though God knows what is in our hearts, and even though are prayers are very imperfect, God wants us to communicate honestly to Him, which might be the only time we are actually honest with ourselves. It is from that transparent humility that the Holy Spirit can convict us of our own sin and need for grace that we might be more inclined to offer grace to others who don’t deserve it and start to actually grow in compassion for them and closer to God’s heart. Remember the Lord’s Prayer where Jesus taught us to pray for His will and to forgive others the same way we want God to forgive us. Sometimes we have to pray it out of obedience when we don’t really feel it, but be honest with God about your feelings too.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 12 January 2025: Today, live in love, joy, peace, contentment, thanksgiving, courage, boldness, and enthusiasm because the God who loves you so much He gave His only Son for you is your helper and the keeper of your life!
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 