King David was a pretty awesome guy – at least on some levels. I mean, as a kid he was anointed king over Israel by a prophet that consistently talked, listened and communed with God. He ignored his older brothers’ instructions to get out of the way and go home when he saw all of Israel being insulted by Goliath. And, of course, he killed the giant ogre with a slingshot. I’ve heard it said that he had five smooth stones with him, because Goliath had four brothers. Not sure about that, but the dude was pretty amazing. I bet he was an awesome commander on the field of battle. I can imagine men being energized by his leadership and felt loyal due to his bravery and confident attitude.
The dude knew how to play and write music, too. The Bible talks about him playing his harp, which made evil spirits depart from crazy King Saul. That’s some anointed playing right there! We’re talking instrumental music being used in a spiritual, powerful and miraculous way! I mean, imagine an exorcism. Imagine the sweat, stress, shouting and resistance being exerted in a “typical” exorcism. Now envision the power of God and His authority (wielded by a human in service to God, by the way) causing the demon to leave a body. Okay, now you have an appreciation of the power being exercised in an exorcism. (I just had to say those two words in a sentence). David pulled this off (by God’s grace) with instrumental music. Wow. I’m impressed.
He led a nation with a reverence and a worshipful attitude and lifestyle. God even declares that this man was a guy after “God’s own heart.” The dude is a legend. A hero. A stud. I admire him greatly.
Out of respect, though, sometimes I have to question his actions. Fortunately for us (but unfortunately for him), his actions are permanently recorded in God’s Word. Now, there are multiple events, decisions and actions we could point out as failure, mistakes, sin and error in his life (like the adultery/murder episode with Bathsheba and her husband). I’m just going to focus on the one that popped out at me recently while reading Psalm 35.
He’s asking God straight up to “contend with those who contend with me.” He’s basically asking God to take his side in the battle. Isn’t that a little self-centered? I think so, yes.
“Fight against those who fight against me…” He goes on to ask God to make his enemies like chaff before the wind and that their path be “dark and slippery…” and “…may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.”
This is certainly not the “love your enemies” attitude that the messiah Who came from his lineage would have (and espouse). It might be hard to blame the guy, though, because the context of his life and work was one of war and hand-to-hand combat.
What’s also funny goes beyond his selfish prayers asking God to take his side in the battle. He seemingly prays one of those “if You get me out of this jam I’ll believe in You and serve You forever” kind of lame/false-promise “foxhole” type prayers.
After asking God to cause his enemies to fall into a pit to their ruin, he says, “Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.” Could David be making one of those, “If you give me what I want, then I’ll give You what You want” type of prayers? How childish is that?
He goes on to “strengthen” his case by making a parallel between his righteous actions and the evil ways of his enemies and how David’s defeat or shame would in turn bring shame upon God and His reputation.
Wow! How manipulative and conniving is that?
But how often have you or I prayed the same type of prayers? We sometimes act like God is our little genie, sent to us for our service. That’s kind of small-thinking, wouldn’t you say?
However.
Nevertheless.
There are some things I can learn from David’s prayers in this Psalm.
First, he prays what’s on his heart. He doesn’t pre-judge his words, filtering them through some sort of doctrinal process or “how will this sound to God” litmus test. Nope, he seemingly just lets it fly from his heart up to God. I want to be more like that. Granted, I don’t want to be guilty of praying “small” and selfish prayers, but if it’s a choice between an over-analyzed and tweaked prayer vs. a honest, from-the-heart emotional and passionate plea, I’ll choose the latter. I think, in light of His Word, God prefers the latter as well.
Secondly, he makes known to God out loud the things that concern him inside. It’s like he foreknew the admonition in Philippians 4:6 about being “anxious for nothing … but present your requests to God.” I want to be quick to do this. If I’m freaking out or stressing over something – no matter if it’s selfish of me to focus on it or not – I quickly lay it at God’s feet. If it is a small or selfish matter, I’ll hear it in my prayers and often get the training and correction I need or I can drop it and get over it after getting it off my chest and laid at His feet. There’s a calming effect in having someone we can lay our worries to. I admire that about David. He was real, he was urgent, he was passionate and he was vocal. I’m so glad we have his many laments to echo as we pray to the same God.
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