In Psalm 70, some seek David, to destroy him (v.2), and some seek the Lord, to worship him (v.4). Those who seek to destroy David will be turned back, unsuccessful in their villainous quest, and brought to dishonor (v.2-3). They are dishonored not because of the failure of their quest, but because of their failure to love, which motivated their quest. Those who seek the Lord will find him, and their joy and praise will last forever and ever (v.4).
Eternal and Everlasting God, we rejoice that in you we have eternal life and everlasting joy. We will never tire of marveling about you, delighting in you and your love, and praising you forever and ever.
In contrast, all our problems will be short-lived. Soon all our hardships will reach their expiration dates, and we will be done with them forever. Those whom we consider our problem-causers will be out of work, because no problem will ever come our way again.
O Lord, as we long for the day of no-more-problems, we pray: make us all the more people who are worthy of your name. Grant that we might give up the ways we cause problems for others. Grant us to abandon the quests we've planned for the downfall of others. Instead, fill us with your love, that we might seek the welfare of others, even those whom we consider to be our problem-causers. O Lord, we pray: grant that we might seek you, and not seek revenge. Grant that we might focus on praising you, not on pursuing our enemies. For truly, as we seek you, we will find you; as we live in love, we will live in joy. We praise you, Lord, and pray all these things in Jesus' name, amen.
