In
the first three verses of Psalm 5, we saw how expectant David was when he came
to God in the morning. He just surrendered and waited on God to act. The reason
David could come to God expectantly was because of his view of God. David characterized
God as One Who takes no delight in evil. No evil dwells with Him. And he was
sure that this was the reason toxic people are not acceptable to God. In fact He
disdains them. In verses 5-6, David then went on to identify them. These are
people who are boastful; people who practise iniquity; people who speak falsehood;
and people who shed blood and are dubious. Their practices repel God and are courting
His judgement.
But for David, he was sure that God would intervene on
his behalf. Why was he so sure? He knew that God would stand on the side of the
righteous. So in verses 7-8 he gives us several reasons that affirmed his
righteous character. Firstly, David knew that the loving kindness of God was upon
his life. Secondly, he would go to the house of God to honor Him. Thirdly, he would
bow down before God, meaning he would worship God. And fourthly, he sought God’s
ways so that he could walk in them. No wonder he was confident that God would
rescue him. Like David, let’s have an aligned relationship with God. Remember
that He has showered His loving kindness on us. We must also not neglect coming
to God often, to worship Him. Remember not to neglect the assembly of like-minded
saints. And we must also seek God’s ways, and implore Him to make His ways known
to us, so that we can walk in them.
It is not always easy to wait on the
Lord when one is surrounded by vicious people. Verses 9-10 show us the kinds of
people David had to face. They certainly could have easily made it hard for him
to patiently wait upon the Lord. Their words were calculated to bring him the
utmost harm. They spoke deceptive, destructive words against him. They would
even resort to flattery at times. The point is obvious. Everything said had malicious
intent. But being sure that God was on his side, David was not restless. He waited
on God although his enemies were powerful and vicious. He was confident that
none of his enemies was any match to God, who would punish all the guilty ones.
He was certain that God would act on the behalf of one who is righteous.
As far as David was concerned, God
was his refuge and shield. His protection would surround his whole being. And
He would shower His favor upon David. God had also wrapped him with His loving
kindness. He was not sure when and how God would intervene. But He knew deep
within that at the right moment, He would. For God always favors the righteous
and blesses them. Fully assured, David abandoned himself to Him and waited on
Him. In verses 11-12, David then turned to declare the desire of his heart. His request was for all who turn to the Lord for refuge to be made glad.
He wanted them always to be able to sing joyously and exult in God, because of His
divine protection. He was confident that like what he had experienced, God would
also bless the righteous and shower them with His favor.
We may not be in a situation like David, but we cannot dismiss the fact
that we are also living in a world full of scheming, deceitful and toxic people.
Know that God is aware of the kinds of people that surround us. Be careful that
we are not enticed into adopting their ways of living. Like David, we should
seek to align ourselves with God and stay righteous. Know His loving kindness
toward us. Assemble in church often and worship Him. Seek His way daily and
choose to walk in the straight and narrow way. So like Paul exhorts us in
Ephesians 5:15-17, “Be very careful,
then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what
the Lord’s will is.”
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