Power And Prayer

– Psalms 54:1-2

Sometimes the attacks of the enemy and his forces can be unending and relentless.  His warfare can be direct or deceptive.  The psalmist faced opposition from those who wanted to turn him over to King Saul.  In the center of brokenness, betrayal and overwhelming burden, David pleaded with God for power and petitioned God in prayer.

Acknowledging our weakness and hopelessness to the Righteous One appropriates His strength and help toward our restoration.  In David’s desperation, he found his Deliverer.  Henry writes, “David had no other plea to depend upon than God’s name, no other power to depend upon than God’s strength, and these he makes his refuge and confidence.”  Our God is the same Almighty Power and Answerer of prayers.

Power That Rescues.  David rested in God’s awesome and great power.  It was his deliverance and his defense.  The prophet Zephaniah reminded God’s people of His promise, “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zeph 3:17 NLT). Our power is found in the Risen Christ.  Paul writes to the Christ followers in Corinth, “Although He was crucified in weakness, He now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with Him and will have God’s power.” (2 Cor 13:4 NLT)

Prayer That’s Recieved.  David needed rescuing, as well as a response from his Redeemer.  In his commentary of Psalm 54, James Burton Coffman writes, “The greatness of David is seen in the fact that in whatever difficulty he found himself, he always turned to God in prayer.”  Prayer was David’s acid test of dependence on God.  David wrote, “The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.” (Ps 34:17 NLT). Paul reminds us of the calming and comforting result of prayer, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7 NLT)

Oswald Chambers wrote, “We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.”  He is our Defender and our Deliverer.  We rest in His complete authority and comforting answers.

David summed up this insightful psalm, “I’m ready now to worship, so ready. I thank you, God —You’re so good. You got me out of every scrape and You have given me peace.” (Psalm 54:6-7 MSG)