In Psalm 27, David begins by expressing his faith in God (v.1-6), before turning to the challenges of his circumstances (v.7-14). He exalts God as the stronghold of his life (v.1), and declares that even if an entire army came against him, or even if a war should break out purposed to bring David down, he would not be afraid (v.3), because God is with him. As it turns out, having a war break out against David is not too distant a possibility. David seeks God’s aid because false witnesses are accusing him, and people are turning against him; even David’s own parents have forsaken him (v.10). Perhaps David’s parents believe the false witnesses and therefore turn away from David? Perhaps they don’t believe the lies, but turn from David anyway, in attempt to preserve the family’s honor in the eyes of others, those who do believe the false witnesses? Either way, they have abandoned him. Meanwhile, David sets his hope on God.
Lord, you are the God of widows, orphans, and immigrants: you love to come to the aid of those who have lost family, friends, finances, and influence. King David is an example to us that all human power is fickle. Even a king can be destroyed by false rumors and gossip. Even a king can be disowned by his parents. David is left an orphaned king, and so he turns to the King of Orphans. Even when our power can’t save us, and our parents disown us, Lord, you are always there. You will never leave us or forsake us. We praise you.
Lord, we pray, in the face of adverse circumstances and even adversaries, give us the same spirit of David: in the midst of being slandered (v.12) and abandoned (v.10), he prayed “teach me your way, O LORD” (v.11). It can be so tempting to fight fire with fire. When we face slander and abandonment, the pain can lead us toward anger, hate, and malice. It can lead us to return slanderous speech with harsh words of our own; it can lead us to return attack with self-justification, selfishness, and pride; it can lead us to turn a fault into a feud; it can lead us to turn people into enemies.
Of course, Lord, we pray: save us from the attacks of others! Protect us, vindicate us, restore us. But even more: protect us from ourselves. The sin in our hearts is always looking for a foothold. When others harm us, then we finally can justify seeing ourselves as their superior. In our pride, we can hold it against them. O Lord, banish these sinful desires from our hearts! Let us, like David, cry out to you: “teach us your ways!” Lead us in the ways of love, forgiveness, peace, reconciliation, and hope. May we be peacemakers so that we can follow your ways and be called your children, Lord (Matthew 5:9). In Jesus’ name, amen.
