Day 868: Psalm 140- Preservation

Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
    preserve me from violent men,
2 who plan evil things in their heart
    and stir up wars continually.
3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's,
    and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah
4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
    preserve me from violent men,
    who have planned to trip up my feet.
5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
    and with cords they have spread a net;
    beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah
 
6 I say to the Lord, You are my God;
    give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord!
7 O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,
    you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
    do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah
 
9 As for the head of those who surround me,
    let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
10 Let burning coals fall upon them!
    Let them be cast into fire,
    into miry pits, no more to rise!
11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land;
    let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!
12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
    and will execute justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
    the upright shall dwell in your presence.
 
Meditation
People standing in opposition to the gospel will persecute believers and cause problems to hinder gospel proclamation. God gives us a prayer for preservation and His grace will strengthen us to persevere. We must keep walking.
 
Paul was burdened to the point of death by problems people caused for his proclamation of the gospel (2 Corinthians 1:9-10). Likewise, John Newton (author of Amazing Grace) was targeted for speaking out against the slave trade. Newton helpfully penned, “His love in time past forbids me to think He will leave me at last in trouble to sink.” People in opposition to the gospel will cause problems. God will be our strength to persevere.
 
King David prayed for deliverance and to be guarded from evil people, preservation from people with evil in their hearts who have laid a trap for him (1-5).  David looks to the Lord His God, pleading for mercy and seeking to find His strength in Him (6-11). With certainty, David knows the Lord will preserve His people and execute justice (12-13). The One who calls is the One who will preserve.
 
Scripture proclaims, “If God is for us, who can stand against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will he not also” graciously preserve His people (Romans 8:31-32)!? Jesus was delivered to people in opposition to Him and His message so we can be secure in God’s steadfast love. God will strengthen us to persevere by preserving us. We must keep walking.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from this Psalm? The conspirators? The counter attack of home? The concrete confidence David has in the Lord?
 
-Why is it difficult to keep walking when people stand in opposition to us and the gospel message we proclaim?
 
-How does the work of Jesus strengthen us, securing us in God’s steadfast love and strengthening our steps to keep walking? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men,