A Worship Guide corresponding with today’s Bible Reading Plan: Psalm 141/ “Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies”/ 19-BSG-141A: (Psalm 141:1-10)/ Hymn: Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go! (SDAH 508)

EXPLORATION: Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies (read 2 Kings 19:9-11; 2 Chr. 14:11; Ps 17:8-9; 35:4)

REFLECTION: These two psalms (140-141) are related and both use a similar vocabulary—heart, tongue, hands, snares, the righteous, etc. The enemy was after David again and he needed immediate deliverance (v. 1). This is a prayer when David was in the cave: the time when David fled from Saul into the wilderness of Engaddi and hid himself in a cave for safety (1 Sam 24).

Here are the detail of David’s prayer: [a] He asks that his request ascend to heaven like incense (v. 2); [b] that he may be saved from sins of the tongue (v. 3); [c] that he may be saved from sins of thought or actions (v. 4); [d] that he may be rebuked, corrected, and reproved with a righteous criticism (v. 5). David’s prayer also focuses on the deeds of the wicked, (v. 6-7) — [e] he continued to pray for his enemies and longed to see a day coming when God would judge them and vindicate his own cause (Ps. 138:8; 140:12).

DEVOTIONAL IMPLICATION: I will keep going by Faith! (Psa. 140: 8–10). “Fixing one’s eyes on the invisible Lord means living by faith in His Word (Isa. 45:22; Heb. 12:1–2). God had anointed David to be king of Israel and nothing but David’s own disobedience could frustrate that plan. Unlike Peter when he walked on the water in the storm, David did not take his eyes of faith off the Lord (Matt. 14:22–33). God was David’s refuge and he was immortal until his work was done. If David had worried about the traps and hidden snares the enemy had set, he would have been paralyzed with fear; but he committed himself to the Lord and walked safely through the battlefield.” [Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Exultant, “Be” Commentary Series, 1st ed., (Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries, 2004), 202].

THE GOSPEL’S VOICE: This section is written as if God were speaking directly to you—Because He does. What does the Lord say to me this morning? My son/ daughter; Satan is at work 24/7 for he knows that he has but “a short time” (Rev. 12:12); thus, he constantly seeks to devour you (1 Pet. 5:8). “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10, NKJV). Satan wants to destroy your life, your testimony, your call, your ministry, your families, etc. Prayer is the most effective weapon against Satan, temptations, and evil (Ep. 6:18). Remember that Satan constantly sets traps for you, but I want you to rely on Me for victory: “My Grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). I have a better plan for you! Would you trust Me, pray and call upon My Name always?

MY DESIRE TODAY: I want to [1] Cry out for the Lord’s help (v. 1–2); [2] Ask God to keep me from compromising with the wicked (v. 3–5a); [3] Pray against evil (v. 5b–7); [4] Call out to God for protection (v. 8–10).

Have A Blessed Day: “But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; In You I take refuge; Do not leave my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, And from the traps of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I escape safely.” (Psalm 141:8–10, NKJV)