Day 100: Psalm 17- Defining Victory

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! 2 From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right! 3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. 5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. 6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. 7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, 9 from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

11 They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. 12 He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. 13 Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, 14 from men by your hand, O Lord, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants. 15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Meditation
There is a lot of discussion of how and when to re-open society, but what do we really re-open? We desire more than re-opening the economy. We want to re-open life. We long for life.

The Psalmist cries to the Lord, (1) orienting our heart’s eyes to hope in the Lord.  The Lord later defines victory with resurrection in a state of glorification. (15) Those who hope in Him will awaken in His likeness with full satisfaction.

The life we long to re-open rises from a re-opened grave. 

Resurrection is the defeat of death. Glorification is the eternal inhabitation of God’s victory, life without sin, sickness, sorrow, or death. The Old Testament longs for victory (Genesis 3:15) and several people join the chorus in defining victory as resurrection. (see Isaiah 29:16, Ezekiel 37, & Daniel 12:2) Jesus is the first fruit of resurrection as Paul notes, “Christ has risen from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20) Jesus is the resurrection. (John 11:25)
We are awakened by His grace to find life in Him. Re-opening our daily faith will re-open the life we long for. Verses 6-7 teach us to call on the Lord and seek refuge in His wings. Jesus invites His people to find refuge in His wings (Matthew 23:37). 

Psalm 91:4 promises the Lord will cover and protect His people with His wings. When we trust Him we will taste the true desire of our heart, resurrected life- God’s definition of victory. Will you re-open to life in the Lord?

Richly Dwelling
-The language of resurrection in Psalm 17 is becoming “awake.” Where do you need to wake up? This is to ask, where do you need to experience resurrection life?

-The Psalmist models crying out to God in prayer while inviting you to find refuge in Him. Re-opening intimacy with Christ will re-open the life you long for! Take a minute to cry out to Jesus and take refuge under His wings.

-Victory is defined as resurrected life, a reality greater than any open or closed economy. What does it look like for you to live in resurrection power today? Be specific.

Key Verse
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.