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Daily Devotion: Psalm 143:9-12

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Psalm 143:9-12    "Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.  (10)  Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.  (11)  Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.  (12)  And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant."

David speaks a great deal about himself in this Psalm. In these 8 verses, David refers to himself about 25 times. He's hurting. He's beat down. Spiritual and emotional darkness has covered him. He is overwhelmed by the attacks from the enemy, which is not identified in this particular Psalm. There is a principle that is laid down in these verses concerning the enemy which Paul, in the New Testament, identifies for us. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:10-12) We sometimes get sidetracked by trying to put a face or a name on our enemy; when in all reality, the enemy is the carnality of the flesh. We sometimes are our own worst enemy.

In the first four verses, David is identifying the problem. He is confessing his own weakness and inability to bring himself out of this dark place. But verse 6 tells us how to take the first step.... "I stretch forth my hands unto thee." He then identifies the only source of relief for the dryness of soul that he is experiencing. "My soul thirsteth after thee." Lord, I don't know how to do this, but I am looking to you for relief and release from this dark prison of the mind. He has certain requests: "Deliver me... Teach me... Quicken me (bring my reasoning back to life through you) ... Cut off mine enemies (the thoughts of the mind that are contrary to you)... Destroy them (remove them from me, O Lord). For when all is said and done, "I am thy servant." Remove anything in myself that is contrary to you, O Lord, that I might serve you acceptably.

1 Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from ev'ry sin and set me free.

2 I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word and make me pure within;
Fill me with fire where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.

3 Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender: Lord - in me abide.
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