Psalm 54 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 54 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Save me, O God, by your name, and vindicate me by your might.
Verse 2Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
Verse 3For the insolent have risen against me, the ruthless seek my life; they do not set God before them. Selah
Verse 4But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
Verse 5He will repay my enemies for their evil. In your faithfulness, put an end to them.
Verse 6With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.
Verse 7For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.
Devotion
Someone once said, “Leaders are dealers in hope.” It is an election year and we are being bombarded with election commercials. Behind the ads is the idea expressed, either directly or indirectly, that we should vote for certain candidates because they represent hope and positive change.
Also expressed, either directly or indirectly, is the idea that a vote for their opponent is a vote for catastrophe. Psychologists tell us that a feeling of hopefulness about one's future is essential to emotional and psychological well-being. As a pastor, I know that it is also essential to spiritual well-being.
When the Psalmist writes, “But surely God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life,” he is expressing confidence in the promise that is asserted again and again from the beginning of the scriptures to the end: that we are never alone. God is always with us.
The Psalmist is giving us a foretaste of Jesus’ promise, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Should you be reading this and be feeling quite alone, or experiencing anxiety of any kind, take heart. You are not alone. God is with you. The Lord is your helper and the upholder of your life.
Prayer
Gracious God, we give you thanks that you are with us always. Fill us with your presence. Uphold our life. Help us to put our trust and our confidence in you and you alone. Amen.