“But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.
I will thank you forever,
because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good,
in the presence of the godly.”
Psalm 52: 8-9
Grace Perspective:
While David was running for his life from Saul, he went to the priests at Nob for nourishment. (Read 1 Samuel 21-22 for more of the story) David was not entirely honest with the priest about why he was in such a hurry, but the priest graciously gave David and his men bread. One of Saul’s men, Doeg, was there at the same time as David and heard the exchange between David and the priest. He then went back to Saul and reported what he had heard. Doeg lied to Saul about the extent of help the priests gave David, and his deceit led him to kill the priests and their families. Doeg preferred evil over good.
David wrote this Psalm after finding out about Doeg’s horrendous crime. The death of the innocent priests and their families broke David’s heart. Psalm 52 gives insight into how God does not overlook evil ambitions, prideful hearts, and rash actions. David knows that God will justly judge Doeg in His perfect timing.
David praises God for His goodness even when, for a moment, evil seemed to win. David placed his confidence in God, knowing that God will rightly judge the motivations of every heart. David wisely chose to live by faith in God’s steadfast love, placing his trust in our gracious Father, who will right every wrong at just the right moment.
A Touch of Grace:
What evil do you see around you?
How long are you willing to wait for God to judge evil justly?
Grace Application:
Can you identify with David in this Psalm? I pray none of you have experienced the violent death of loved ones as David did; however, I imagine others’ sins have hurt you. What we do with the hurt is important. That’s one reason I love reading and praying from the Psalms.
David is candid about his pain and anger over Doeg’s deceit and horrendous killing of innocent people. He calls sin what it is, evil. Yet, David didn’t just spew about his rage over Doeg, but he turned his thoughts to what is true.
God knows every wrong done, every evil word spoken, every lie told, everything. Knowing this makes my heart tremble because I have sinned greatly and done evil in God’s sight. David understood this, too, and knew that he was forgiven of all his sin because he trusted in God’s steadfast love. The foundation of all who are in Christ is though we have done evil; we are forgiven because Christ paid the penalty for our sin.
Because we are forgiven, we are to be like “a green olive tree in the house of God.” (vs. 8) Green doesn’t mean the color but indicates life. We are to be fruit-bearing, thriving, children of God sharing the gospel of grace with those around us.
If we allow the bitterness of past and present hurts to rule our hearts and minds, we stifle our fruit-bearing. David understood this truth and reminds us that God, in His perfect timing, will judge the evil done against us and others. Our faith in God’s steadfast love helps us live dependent upon God’s mercy and grace. As we look to Him, waiting for His perfect timing, let’s praise Him for His goodness and gracious timing, knowing He is trustworthy.
Prayer:
Gracious Father, You are good and worthy of my praise. Your timing is always perfect. Forgive me for the many times I am impatient and try to rush You to do what I want. Lord, my heart is burdened by my own sin, forgive me for (______________). Grow in me a heart that waits patiently for Your perfect timing, trusting Your steadfast love and goodness. As I wait, help me choose to praise You for Who You are, my Gracious Savior, and Redeemer. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.
**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know for certain you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubt, please call out to God so all doubt may be erased. Today is a good day to be assured of salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, please contact me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**