a longing, hope, and my 🙏 prayer for you
The longing of my soul will be satisfied in the glow of Your presence
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Psalm 17 brings to mind a glorious time in prayer, the awe of a newborn baby, the silence of a desert sunrise, or a precious memory of someone who’s passed on.
But as for me, my hope is to see Your face. When I am vindicated, I will look upon the holy face of God, and when I awake, the longing of my soul will be satisfied in the glow of Your presence.
As David often did, he ended his laments in song with a strong hope in God. Just thinking of the glow of God’s presence is a quiet joy.
But David’s life was troubled. He sang for Saul to soothe his bad moods. Then he had to hide from Saul when Saul tried to kill David. And then David had to fight one of his sons as well.
Listen, O Eternal One, to my cry for justice. These words of mine are true—turn Your ear toward me. Announce that I am free of all the charges against me—only You can see into my heart to know that to be true. Treat me with fairness; look at me with justice.
Here, David cries out to God to hear David’s plea. He cried out for justice and begged God to see into David’s heart. That sounds daunting. In reality, God can see our thoughts, our desires, our dreams, and He also sees the dark places in us. David invited God in, not because he was sinless, but so that God could see David’s intent.
You have searched me—my heart and soul—awakened me from dreaming and tested me. You’ve found nothing against me. I have resolved not to sin in what I say. The path violent men have followed, I will not travel. Violence is not my way. Your ways and Your voice now guide my journey. I will press on—moving steadfastly forward along Your path. I will not look back. I will not stumble.
David declares that violence is not his way. He follows God’s ways and His voice. David isn’t looking back at his past mistakes. That would cause David to stumble. He presses on, steadfastly moving forward along God’s path.
I am crying aloud to You, O True God, for I long to know Your answer. Hear me, O God. Hear my plea. Hear my prayer for help. Put Your marvelous love on display for all to see. Liberator of those who long for shelter beside You, set them safely away from their enemies, ever welcomed by grace.
But then David laments again. He is in trouble and needs a Liberator. Repeating how God shows His love through His grace by saving David from his enemies.
Keep close watch over me as the apple of Your eye; shelter me in the shadow of Your wings. Protect me from the wicked who are poised to attack, from the enemies swarming around me and closing in quickly. Like clay baking in the sun, their hearts have hardened; arrogance spills from their mouths. They’ve tracked me down like quarry. They’re surrounding me and are poised to throw me down into the dirt. Like a lion—crouching in the brush—they are ready to tear me apart. Like young lions in their hiding places, they are poised to strike.
David understands that people’s hearts can be hardened with arrogance. They are ready to strike whomever they wish, those that they have judged and found wanting. But God can still protect David, even from arrogant men.
Rise up and confront them, O Eternal One! Make them pay. By Your sword, set me free from my wicked enemies! May Your rescue find me here. By Your hand, save me from my enemies, Eternal One. Save me from men whose hopes are rooted in this world.
When I read passages, I don’t think about how that person or this one should see this verse. Instead, I take these words as a warning. Are my hopes rooted in this world or in God?
But as for those You cherish, may they feast on all You have set aside for them; may their children never be in need; may they have enough so their children will inherit their wealth.
When my hopes are rooted in God, then I feast on God’s joy, peace, and love. God provides for those He loves, and for their children. This is a promise to those who come after.
And then we come full circle, to the glow of His presence.
But as for me, my hope is to see Your face. When I am vindicated, I will look upon the holy face of God, and when I awake, the longing of my soul will be satisfied in the glow of Your presence.
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Verse of the Week and My Prayer for You
Psalm 17
Listen, O Eternal One, to my cry for justice. These words of mine are true—turn Your ear toward me. Announce that I am free of all the charges against me—only You can see into my heart to know that to be true. Treat me with fairness; look at me with justice.
You have searched me—my heart and soul—awakened me from dreaming and tested me. You’ve found nothing against me. I have resolved not to sin in what I say. The path violent men have followed, I will not travel. Violence is not my way. Your ways and Your voice now guide my journey. I will press on—moving steadfastly forward along Your path. I will not look back. I will not stumble.
I am crying aloud to You, O True God, for I long to know Your answer. Hear me, O God. Hear my plea. Hear my prayer for help. Put Your marvelous love on display for all to see. Liberator of those who long for shelter beside You, set them safely away from their enemies, ever welcomed by grace.
Keep close watch over me as the apple of Your eye; shelter me in the shadow of Your wings. Protect me from the wicked who are poised to attack, from the enemies swarming around me and closing in quickly. Like clay baking in the sun, their hearts have hardened; arrogance spills from their mouths. They’ve tracked me down like quarry. They’re surrounding me and are poised to throw me down into the dirt. Like a lion—crouching in the brush—they are ready to tear me apart. Like young lions in their hiding places, they are poised to strike.
Rise up and confront them, O Eternal One! Make them pay. By Your sword, set me free from my wicked enemies! May Your rescue find me here. By Your hand, save me from my enemies, Eternal One. Save me from men whose hopes are rooted in this world.
But as for those You cherish, may they feast on all You have set aside for them; may their children never be in need; may they have enough so their children will inherit their wealth.
But as for me, my hope is to see Your face. When I am vindicated, I will look upon the holy face of God, and when I awake, the longing of my soul will be satisfied in the glow of Your presence.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for my reader. You hear her cries, and You see into her heart. You know her true intentions. Thank You for Your protection of her and the joy You give her in the middle of chaos.
Thank You, Lord, that presses forward, knowing You provide for her daily. She moves down the path You have set for her, and Your glorious love surrounds her. And she basks in the glow of Your presence.
Lord, You are our Great and Mighty King. You fight for us every day. We trust in You. We rest in You, knowing You are faithful. Help us to be grateful and praise Your name, Almighty God. Be glorified through her. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have a blessed week! Thank you for reading!