Psalm 17 is another David song. He sings this after God has saved him from his enemies. David was a man after God’s heart, but that didn’t mean it was smooth sailing every morning. He had enemies and people after him all the time. That is one of the realities of leadership. There is always someone who doesn’t agree and wants things their way. David models for us how to deal with that. He approaches God with “the most honest prayer you’ll ever hear”. No sugar coating. No religious correctness. Just honest prayer where he shares his heart freely with God. That is what prayer really is. We approach God’s throne and share our heart. We come to Him with our inner most thoughts and feelings. But the key is what David tells us is his motive. “I’m trying to get your way, your Word’s way”. Prayer is really about lining our attitude and actions up with God’s heart and will. It is not trying to convince God to do things our way. It is all about us getting on His page and doing things His way. Too often we want to tell God how things ought to go, how our life should be run. Not exactly how prayer works – it is about us seeking God’s plan – sharing our requests and desires along the way – but realizing the outcome needs to align with His will not ours. David tells us “I call to you, God, because I am sure of an answer”. God answers prayer. Always. Not always the way we want or on the timeline we want, but He always answers. David knows that and claims that promise and truth. Are you coming to God’s throne with your prayers continually, in confidence that the Creator of the universe is there listening and answering? That is the confidence with which we need to approach Him.
But just because we come to God in prayer doesn’t mean life is a bed of roses. David is seeking God regarding those who are “after me, nipping my heels, determined to bring me down…ready to rip me apart”. Life is not a piece of cake for David. He has enemies who desire not only to see his failure but to kill him. Does that sound like a great place to be? Well it is if you live it in the presence of the mighty God and let Him deal with the issues. David prays and asks God to step in. He asks God to break them and set him free. He shares his heart and knows that God alone can protect him. And what is his plan? “I plan on looking you full in the face…..live heaven on earth”. Here is the secret folks: It is about the relationship. It is about knowing God and experiencing His love. David knows that his time is best spent with the Father. He could try and deal with all these issues in his own strength and fall flat on this face and likely into his grave. But he knows that seeking God and coming to His throne is the way to deal with the challenges and threats on his life. He wants to look at God as his solution. He is depending on the one thing that never changes. Are you walking with God that way? Do you take it all to the throne and put it at His feet? Or are you on this path of trying to be self sufficient and handle life on your own. There is a better way – it is God’s way. He is there waiting to hear your prayers. Don’t make Him wait any longer!
