Psalm 17

In my studying for this week's bible study with the girls, I did Psalm 17.

Here's what it says...

Have you ever been bullied? Maybe you have felt at one time or another that all were out to get you, and you, though not perfect, hadn’t deserved it. This is the case with David whose prayer to God is a plea for Justice against false accusations and persecution. He wasn’t boasting a statement of purity, but in Psalm 17:5 says, “My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.” He realized that he had committed sin, as all people do, but his relationship with God was one of close fellowship and constant repentance and forgiveness. His goodness came from seeking to know God intimately. Many times we feel we have somehow missed God’s protection if we experience troubles. But David understood that God’s protection has far greater purposes than avoiding pain; it is to make us better for Him. God protects us by seeing us through circumstance, not by helping us escape them. David asks for God to push back his enemies, in effect to see him through the crisis, not to help him escape. David explains in verses 13-15 that we deceive ourselves when we measure our happiness or contentment in life by the amount of wealth we possess. The true measurement of happiness or contentment is an eternal one. You find true happiness if you put eternal riches above earthly ones. He shows that the true reward of life is to one day see God face to face.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Do you believe that God will help you endure trials? What is His purpose to do this rather than help you evade them?