We have another psalm where David is looking for deliverance from his enemies. This one has a string of interesting things, which I think are interesting.
The first is David saying that if he had done wrong, allow his enemies to capture him (verse 3). Then in 9 he is is calling God to defend the righteous and in 12, David comments that if a person doesn't repent, God will prepare weapons against that person.
I think this is interesting because it points out a few things. First, it speaks to the importance of living righteously. It is good if you are not living a life where others can point to your wrongdoing. Living a clean and healthy life before God is important. It presents you before God in a way that makes it easier for God to defend you. For God brings glory and honor to God and is working for righteousness to be restored to God's creation. The peace about repentance is also important because no one is perfect except for God and therefore we will mess up. But when we mess up, we must repent (turn away from our sin and go the other direction). Keeping a clean slate through repentance and seeking forgiveness also keeps us on the righteous side of the scale.
One of the reasons that I thought of all these things is the idea that some people talk about, that if God is forgiving, a person could sin all their life and turn to God in the last moments and repent and be saved. We know this is true because of the the their that was on the cross next to Jesus, but that their didn't plan his life to be one of sin and then at the last minute repent and be saved. That is just what happened. The act of planning a life that way, does not leave a person with a heart that easily repents and becomes righteous. I think many people after making that plan and living that life would not be sincerely repentant.
I may not be explaining this in the clearest manner, but hopefully you are following my train of thinking. Ultimately, living a righteous life and staying clean with God and others is God's plan for each of us and allows for us to receive Gods protection and blessing. David understood this and spoke that truth as he was crying out for deliverance. He didn't need to say it for God's purpose, but for his own, to ensure that he (David) was encouraged and strong of heart. Reminding himself about those things which keep one connected to God and knowing that you are doing them, reminds you that God will be working in your life and will be bringing glory to God through your life and through lifting you up so that all can see God's blessing in your life.
Are you living a clean life and keeping a clean slate with God? Take some time to reflect on your life and see if their is some improvement needed.
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