Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. 2 Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. 3 Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation." 4 May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. 5 May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away; 6 may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. 7 Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, 8 may ruin overtake them by surprise--may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. 9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation. 10 My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them."

It is difficult for us to identify the plea of the Psalmist with the spirit of Christ in his loving nature, his constant forgiveness and his total lack of desire for vengeance. Yet, David is called a “man after God’s own heart.” What we do not readily see or identify with is that David was God’s chosen king, prophet and leader of Israel. One of the things that made David so pleasing to God was that he was most concerned with the cause of the Lord and what would bring glory to God. Yet, even in this exalted position with God, David was a man like us. He had his weaknesses, he faced his trials, he dealt with those who mistreated him and were unfair to him. David, like the apostle Paul, was able to say that he had enjoyed wealth and prosperity but had also known poverty and want.

Our commitment to God is likened to that of the marriage vows. When we are married we vow to accept, love, honor, cherish, protect and be faithful in varied extremes. In other words, it is promised without regard to external circumstances. Our love, our service, our commitment and our lives are to be given to God without regard to what we face. We are faithful because he is God; he made us and sustains us so we trust him without question. If this is really our attitude, we will study his will and live it by faith.

O God, my father, my creator and giver of life, I ask for a pure and faithful heart toward you in all things. Increase my faith and open my eyes that I may see you more clearly. When I don’t understand why, help me to just trust you. Give me patience to wait on you without doubting. Please be with those who are hurting and sick and give them relief that only you can give. Use me to be a comfort and encouragement to them. I pray in Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we live for him in faith today.