Read
(A special psalm by David.)
The Best Choice
1Protect me, Lord God!
I run to you for safety,
2and I have said,
“Only you are my Lord!
Every good thing I have
is a gift from you.”
3Your people are wonderful,
and they make me happy,
4but worshipers of other gods
will have much sorrow.
I refuse to offer sacrifices
of blood to those gods
or worship in their name.
5You, Lord, are all I want!
You are my choice,
and you keep me safe.
6You make my life pleasant,
and my future is bright.
7I praise you, Lord,
for being my guide.
Even in the darkest night,
your teachings fill my mind.
8 I will always look to you,
as you stand beside me
and protect me from fear.
9With all my heart,
I will celebrate,
and I can safely rest.
10 I am your chosen one.
You won't leave me in the grave
or let my body decay.
11You have shown me
the path to life,
and you make me glad
by being near to me.
Sitting at your right side,
I will always be joyful.
Reflect
This passage begins with the psalmist running to God in search of protection and ends with celebration, praise, and joy. Isn’t it interesting how often our own encounters with God work the same way? At times we run to him at the first sign of danger, at others, we treat him as a last resort. In both scenarios, we come face to face with a powerful, loving God who has stood, and continues to stand by our side as we experience all of life’s victories and failures.
There is a lesson in this passage too. Instead of dwelling on the situation the psalmist needs protection from, he reminds himself of God’s faithfulness as he’s seen it, firsthand, time and time again. He remembers God’s promises and his sovereignty, and therefore knows that his future is secure.
I love the wording of verse eight: “I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear.” He doesn’t say the Lord will protect him from the things that scare him, but rather, fear itself. With God by our side, we can be bold. We can have courage. There is no need for fear, because standing right next to us, through every storm we weather, is the master of the universe, defeater of sin, and a firm anchor in the midst of changing seas.
By the time the psalmist reaches the end of the passage, he has experienced a change of perspective. While he came to God seeking protection, he realizes that God has always been with him and he’s always been protecting him, and all there’s left to do is be joyful in is presence. Oh, that we would realize and remember this extraordinary truth in our lives too.
Respond
Powerful Father, thank you for your faithfulness and protection, and for always standing beside me. Truly, you have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Amen.
Larissa Benfey
Larissa is a Toronto based actor and writer who has dabbled in everything from scripts to short stories, and is now setting her sights on novels. Having studied English and history at Tyndale University and Seminary, she loves a good story, but her favorite stories always have happy endings - which is part of why she loves the true story of the Gospel so much.