David acknowledged his need for the Lord in verse 2 when he said “Listen to my cry for help, my King & my God”. How do I acknowledge my need for the Lord’s help in my life? Currently, as I write this reflection, I have entered a new phase of my life where my needs and desires are changing. Things that I wanted (or thought I needed) have begun to fade into the background as I find the need to prioritize things I can and can’t afford. This change in my socio-economic standing has helped me see with clarity the way I was changing and moving away from a reliance on God for my provision, my livelihood, my life. In the past few years, I became rather self-reliant.
It feels like we as a society are moving toward values of self-preservation, self-motivation, self-actualization. All of these ‘self’ statements move us farther and farther from the God of the universe. And despite these tendencies, God waits patiently for us to cry out to him. God will hear our prayers when we cry out to him and wait expectantly (see verse 3). For me this begs the question – what am I expectantly waiting on the Lord for in my life?
In the middle of this chapter, we see David acknowledging the reason that he is able to enter the temple – God’s Unfailing Love. He is also earnestly seeking guidance of the Lord. He wants to be sure that he is following the right path.
The end of chapter 5 is just beautiful because it ends with a prayer of blessing over those who love and take refuge in the Lord. It says, “Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.” New Living Translation
Who wants to be surrounded with a shield of love? I know I do!!
Looks like it is time to wait expectantly and seek earnestly…