Deliverance Through Confidence in the Lord

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 17

 

Psalm 17:7

Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save those who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.

(NKJV)

 

The life of David was a life of oppression, struggle, and victory, with the Psalms frequently giving us a glimpse into David’s heart during these times. While we do not know the specific incidents that led David to write Psalm 17, it demonstrates his confidence in the Lord's salvation and deliverance during times of struggle. By looking into this psalm, we can gain confidence to put our trust in God when trouble comes into our lives.

 

David begins this psalm by asking God to hear his just cause and to attend to his cry, giving ear to his prayer that does not come from deceitful lips (Psalm 17:1). David seeks for vindication that comes from the Lord’s presence with the Lord’s eyes that looking on the upright things (Psalm 17:2). The Lord has tested David’s heart and visited him in the night finding nothing wrong, with David purposing not to transgress with his mouth (Psalm 17:3). Where the works of men are concerned, David has kept away from the paths of the destroyer by the word of the Lord’s lips (Psalm 17:4). David asks the Lord to uphold his steps in the Lord’s paths so he does not slip (Psalm 17:5).

 

David calls upon the Lord because he hears him, inclining His ear to hear his speech (Psalm 17:6). David continues by asking the Lord to show His marvelous lovingkindness by His right hand for it is the Lord who saves those that trust Him, saving them from those that rise against them (Psalm 17:7). David asks the Lord to keep him as the apple of His eye and to hide him under the shadow of His wings, keeping him save from the wicked who oppress and surround him (Psalm 17:8-9).

 

David’s oppressors and enemies have closed their fat hearts, speak proudly with their mouths, and surround David and his men in their steps (Psalm 17:10-11). Like a lion, they have set their eyes and crouch in hiding, eager to tear their prey (Psalm 17:11-12). David cries for the Lord to arise, confronting and casting down his enemies, delivering his life from the wicked with the power of His sword (Psalm 17:13). David seeks deliverance by the hand of the Lord from men of the world who have their portion in this life (Psalm 17:14). David finds his satisfaction in seeing the face of the Lord in righteousness and awakening in the Lord’s likeness (Psalm 17:15).  

 

Although the exact date of the composition of this psalm is uncertain, according to Psalm 17:9, it was likely written during a time of oppression when David was surrounded by his enemies. Since this often occurred in the life of David, when David wrote this is not as important as what it reveals about the heart of David. Here is a man who has learned to trust in God when the odds were against him, as they usually were. The thing we must ask is, did David gain this confidence during these times of trouble or before they came? According to Scripture, the answer would be both. When David faced Goliath as a young boy, he spoke of saving his father’s sheep from the lion and bear, comparing Goliath to one of them (1 Samuel 17:34-36). God has prepared David for facing Goliath during the times he was alone tending his Father’s sheep.

 

However, the Bible also tells us that we gain faith by going through struggles (James 1:2-3; Romans 5:1-4). This is the testing of faith gained through preparation by the study and meditation on the Word of God and time spent in prayer (Romans 10:17). So, confidence in the salvation and faith in the Lord comes both by learning the Word of God and testing in times of trouble.

 

In John 16:33, Jesus told us there would be trouble as long as we are in this world, but with the promise that He overcame the world. Therefore, we must, like David, learn to place our trust and confidence in the salvation of the Lord. To accomplish this, we must first develop our faith through study and application of the Word of God in our lives through daily devotion to the study of the Word of God and prayer (Romans 10:17, 12:1-2). We can then anticipate the testing of our faith during times of trouble in our lives, where we can apply what we learned and find victory like David did over Goliath.

 

The biggest Goliath in our lives is the Goliath of sin, but praise be to God that sin and death were slain by Jesus on the cross. Like when David slew Goliath, Jesus’ defeat of sin has made it possible for anyone believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus to be saved (Romans 10:9-10).  If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept Jesus’ gift of salvation from sin, I invite you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and encourage everyone reading this post.