The Righteous Take Refuge In Prayer
Ps. 5
Jay Horsley
In the fifth Psalm we find David again beset by many enemies. We often have the false notion that if we strive to be good and do what is right that most people will like us, or that at a minimum we will mostly be left alone. But David's experience does not bear this out. Certainly he was opposed because he was the king and all who have power will have opposition. But his troubles were more than simply political opposition. As the “anointed of God,” (2 Sam. 23:1) he was a constant public example and the living embodiment of service to God. He was fiercely opposed for being a light in a dark world. Many have lost their faith because of this type of continual antagonism. Others have fallen into the temptation to sink to the ungodly tactics of their opponents once hostilities have begun. But David shows the true way - reliance on God through prayer.
These words poignantly show how greatly David was afflicted by the opposition of evil men. No saints are immune from being hurt. They “groan” and “mourn” under their burdens. But they have a sacred release, a holy respite, in the King in heaven the Lord God Jehovah. David would pray each morning confident that a concerned Lord would hear and provide.
David had such a confident attitude because he considered the character of those that assaulted him and the nature of God. David's enemies were simply wicked. He knew that God doesn't have fellowship with evil or evil men. In essence, these men were fighting against God Himself. That's not how it always appears to us here on earth, but that is because we are beset with a worldly outlook. In these contests the boastful liar looks like he has the upper hand because the scrupulous man seems to not have near as many weapons and is not so voracious in his attacks. But the righteous are not disadvantaged because they won't stoop to such a low level of conduct. As the apostle Paul said, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh...” (2 Cor. 10:3,4)
What then, is the source of the stamina needed to endure and from whence comes the strength necessary to win? Look at what David did. He reverentially went to worship. He went to the temple not because it was time to go, but he went savoring the lovingkindness of God. Compare this to so many today (and us under the new and better covenant with the greater promises) who say that they get nothing out of worship. Some can't even set worship in their mind strong enough to come. David fled to the refuge of worship because he was not at home with the world. He saw that it was opposed to God and those striving to be righteous. Many don't view worship as they should because they don't view the world as they should. They have made for themselves too much of a earthly home - to the neglect of the heavenly.
David was not self-righteous in his worship and reliance on God. Some appear to be self-righteous, and even more often this charge is made against the God's people. No, David continued to recognize his own faults and asked the Lord to keep him from sin even in regard to his enemies. He prayed that all of his actions would be guided toward what was right. Yet, in this, David had the spiritual confidence and wisdom to recognize his enemies' sins. Some think that just to recognize sin in others is somehow self exalting or self righteous - especially if they are the ones who are convicted. This allegation scares many off of doing right. David's prayer should help us overcome this weakness. Let us not be so feeble or have so much false humility as to not recognize sin as sin when we see it in others. We must recognize sin wherever it is - whether it be in you, me, or them over there. David shows how perspective and balance are kept by judging all things rightly in the Lord - beginning with, but not only with, self.
David knew that these blessings were not for him alone. All who have the same faith can take refuge, be glad, sing for joy, find shelter and exalt in the Lord. What person with even the slightest bit of spiritual concern would't jump at the chance for all that? Where did David find it? In prayer and in worship. No, prayer is not a joy for those that love not the Lord. Likewise, worship is not a refuge for those who do not come and bow in reverence. Make no mistake, it is the righteous that the Lord shields and blesses. Oh how many forsake His protecting arm of blessing. Love and fidelity to the great Creator shouldn't seem like a tall order when we consider His love toward us. But we are daily influenced by the evil world that surrounds us and we don't realize that the Invisible God is also present. The difference between David and his enemies - between the faithful and the unfaithful - came down to one walking by faith and the other walking by sight. How do you walk? Or maybe we should rather ask, how do you worship? And how do you pray?