Earnest Prayer in Faith

Commentary

In the previous verses we have seen David trusting in God with great faith. Now we see him trembling in fear (vv. 8-9). As we see David  switch suddenly from faith to fear and trust to trembling we are reminded of how this can happen in our own lives today. Faith and fear often fight each other for control in our lives. There is nothing more depressing than the feeling that we are being rejected. We can not be sure what prompted David to make the statement he did concerning his parents (v. 10). It is known that during the time David was under Saul’s persecution he became very concerned for his parents’ safety. He had them taken from the farm and placed in political asylum in Moab.  Perhaps his parents reproached him for the loss of their farm. All we really know is that David had a feeling of being forsaken but he had confidence that God would not forsake him.

David next asks God to teach him the way to go because his enemies are lying in wait for him (v.11). His enemies were the false witnesses who were out to destroy him. If Satan cannot destroy a person with weapons he will try to destroy him with words. In the end David does have confidence that he will survive and remain alive to see God’s blessing (vv. 12-13). For this reason he was determined to wait for the Lord’s deliverance (v. 14). Waiting for God is not easy. Often it seems that He isn’t answering our prayers or doesn’t understand the urgency of our situation. But God is worth waiting for and often uses waiting to refresh, renew and teach us. Therefore we need to make good use of our waiting times by discovering what God may be trying to teach us.

Application

Have I ever felt rejected by close friends or relatives?  Did I go to the Lord for strength or did I just feel sorry for myself? Times like this should bring me closer to the Lord.