[:en]Our Daily Verse (11/23/20)[:]

[:en]SCRIPTURE:  PSALM 31

“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God”.  My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue  me.  Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love” (Psalm 31:14-16)

“How great is your goodness, which you have store up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men or those who take refuge in you.  In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe form accusing tongues” (Psalm 31: 19-20)

“Love the Lord, all his saints!  The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.  Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:23-24)

When David was in exile as Saul was chasing him through the hill and mountain, he wrote this Psalm.

He prayed to God:

  1. To deliver him (v. 1)
  2. To turn His ear to him and be his rock of refuge (v. 2)
  3. To lead and guide him (v. 3)
  4. To free him from the trap that was set for him (v. 4)
  5. To redeem him (v. 5)
  6. To see his affliction and know the anguish of his soul (v. 7)
  7. To show him mercy (v. 9)
  8. To deliver him from his enemies and those who pursue him (v. 15)
  9. To let His face shine upon him and save him in His unfailing love (v. 16)
  10. To let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in grave (v. 17)
  11. To silence the lying lips of the wicked (v. 18)

How David felt:

  1. He was in distress, his eyes grew weak with sorrow, his soul and body with grief (v. 9)
  2. His life was consumed by anguish and his years by groaning (v. 101)
  3. His strength failed and his bones grew weak because of his affliction (v. 10b)
  4. His neighbor, friends had avoided him (v. 11)
  5. He was forgotten like a dead man (v. 12)
  6. He heard slanders from people who conspire to take his life (v. 13)

But at the end, David saw the goodness of God to those who fear Him and take refuge in Him.  God will hide and keep them safe from intrigues and slander.  He will hear their cry for mercy and preserve the faithful.

David said:  “My times are in your hand”.  Time is important and valuable.  So, don’t waste it but invest it while there is still opportunity.  Surrender yourself and let God control your time.  Are you willing to entrust your times to God?[:]