Psalm 57

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.
2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
3 He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me.

Interlude

My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.
4 I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey—whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth.
6 My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress.They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it.

Interlude

7 My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!
8 Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.
9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.
10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.

Gladiator...great movie, but I wouldn't want to be one.

It's difficult to imagine that a truth of history is we used to throw people to the lions. Sometimes the victims weren't gladiators, but helpless folks like you and me...who couldn't even make sport out of it. One popular iteration was throwing Christians to the lions. We can read first person accounts from people who watched the proceedings. I can't imagine how anybody could call it "sport."

David describes his enemies in similar fashion. "I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey—whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords." These aren't literal lions. They are human beings whose intent to devour is lion-like.

What is it that turns human beings into predators?

I don't know the answer, but I do know there are predators all around. I saw a friend of mine fired from his job...only to see the sole witness against him take the job that my friend vacated. They were "friends." Mali and I invested hundreds of dollars into a house we were renting...with the owners permission...only to be evicted on the claim that we had "destroyed" the place. The owner moved in the next week. It appeared she liked our work well enough to live with it.

Just like yesterday's psalm...David was once again suffering under this kind of predatory behavior. If it's ever happened to you, you know how discouraging that can be. It eats away at your self-confidence and self-esteem. Your energy levels deplete to nothing. Before long they are circling for the kill. David says "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by." What a beautiful word picture...finally, someplace to hide.

I'll bet you've experience it. I'll bet you've despaired...just like David. I encourage you to run to our Lord. Hide beneath the protection of His wings. Do you know what will happen? Listen to David again. "My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!"

It's amazing how we can rebound once we get out of hostile territory.

Live boldly out there today...