David has been unfairly treated by King Saul. Even Prince Jonathon knows that David is in the right. What should we do when our life is unfair, when one person’s disobedience makes our life a mess? David wrote a song to God and this gives us insight into his heart attitude in the situation.
Ps. 26: 1You be my judge and declare me innocent! Clear my name, for I have tried my best to keep your laws and to trust you without wavering.
2 Lord, you can scrutinize me. Refine my heart and probe my every thought. Put me to the test and you’ll find it’s true.
3 I will never lose sight of your love for me. Your faithfulness has steadied my steps.
4 I won’t keep company with tricky, two-faced men, nor will I go the way of those who defraud with hidden motives.
5 I despise the sinner’s hangouts, refusing to even enter them. You won’t find me walking among the wicked.
6–7 When I come before you, I’ll come clean, approaching your altar with songs of thanksgiving, singing the songs of your mighty miracles.
8 Lord, I love your home, this place of dazzling glory, bathed in the splendor and light of your presence!
9 Don’t treat me as one of these scheming sinners who plot violence against the innocent.
10 Look how they devise their wicked plans, holding the innocent hostage for ransom.
11 I’m not like them, Lord—not at all. Save me, redeem me with your mercy, for I have chosen to walk only in what is right.
12 I will proclaim it publicly in every congregation, and because of you, Lord, I will take my stand on righteousness alone![1]
This Psalm may sound arrogant to our ears, but I think David was so comfortable in his relationship with the Lord that he could be honest. He had tried to follow God and was being unfairly treated. He wanted justice. I think it is very telling that David asks for justice and doesn’t complain about Saul. From our 21st century view, Saul is the problem; he is making David’s life miserable. Yet, David goes to God for justice and says nothing about Saul.
What would happen if we did the same thing in our life struggles? How would that change our attitudes? Jesus was treated unfairly and as His followers, so will we. There is a time and place for earthy judgement, but we can let our Heavenly Father guide the punishment. Heb. 10: 30 For we know him who said, “I have the right to take revenge and pay them back for their evil! “And also, “The Lord God will judge his own people!”[2]
To hear more about David and his songs, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/david-and-his-songs-the-early-years/its-not-fair
[1, 2] The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. thePassionTranslation.com