What do you do when you don’t understand why you are having problems in life? The decisions you made are backfiring on you or you don’t know which way to turn. Maybe God has given you a dream or goal to accomplish, but you find roadblocks or no opportunity to fulfill them, and you are frustrated.
David asked, “Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom? Have you rejected us, O God? Will You no longer march with our armies? Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless.”
Who was Edom? The Edomites were the descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau. In Romans 9:1-13, Paul relates this history of Jacob and Esau. Their mother was Rebecca who gave birth to twins. God gave a message to Rebecca before the twins were born. “She was told, ‘Your older son will serve your younger son.’ In the words of scripture, ‘I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau’.” And because of this there was hostility between the Israelites and the Edomites. They truly became enemies when the Israelites were returning to their promised land under Moses. Now David was still having to deal with them, but he wasn’t having the success he hoped for.
David began this psalm by praising God. “My heart is confident in You, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!” Verses 1-5 are filled with praise.
Next in verses 6-9, David made his request to God, “Now rescue Your beloved people. Answer and save us by Your power.” Then David quoted scripture about the promises God had made to His people and about their enemies.
Finally, in verse 13, David made a declaration of faith. “With God’s help we will do mighty things for He will trample down our foes.”
Like David, we should begin our prayers with praise to God for His goodness to us and His direction in our lives. Then, we need to remind ourselves of God’s promises to us. And finally, we need to make our declaration of faith as David did. Paul emphasizes this in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.