Psalm 64 -- A Prayer To Fortify My Heart

I think we’re often taught not to pray against our enemies but for them – that God will show them His light and they will come to know Him.  In this chapter, the enemies were those opposed to David, God’s anointed King, and therefore they were also opposed to God’s plan to bring the Savior through David’s family. 

When David started out saying, “God, listen to my complaint,” my first thought was wondering if God gets tired of all of my complaints, like a person would who works in the complaints and returns department of a large store.  But then I remembered God loves us and wants to help us.  Our complaints are likely very trivial based on His sovereignty!

“David didn’t ask God to change the circumstances but to fortify his own heart and deliver him from fear.  The fear of the Lord mobilizes us, but the fear of man paralyzes us,” my commentary said.

Verses 3-6 call on us to ask for the Lord’s wisdom.  “We need to know the strategy of Satan when he attacks,” my commentary added.  “David knew that the human heart is deep and cunning, and that there are always new dangers to avoid, so he constantly sought the Lord’s wisdom as he made decisions.  By depending on the Lord and obeying His directions, David was confident that God would defeat His enemies.  The very weapon that the enemy uses against us, the Lord uses to defeat them.”

David gave glory to the Lord when his enemies were defeated.  “Some people stood and shook their heads in disbelief.  ‘If you can explain what’s going on, the Lord didn’t do it,’ someone once said.  Faith expects to see God to the impossible!  … It isn’t enough to know the works of the Lord; we must also seek to understand His way and learn how to please Him.  David’s great concern was that the Lord be glorified, and that was why God blessed Him.”

Father, help me to better understand how the enemy works against me.  Help me also to pray less for You to change the circumstances, for You produced them for a reason in my life; but instead help me to pray for You to fortify my heart and deliver me from fear, as You did David.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford