Psalm 55: verses 12-14, 16 and 22 (NLT)
- It is not an enemy who taunts me—
I could bear that.
It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—
I could have hidden from them.
Instead, it is you—my equal,
my companion and close friend.
What good fellowship we once enjoyed
as we walked together to the house of God… - But I will call on God,
and the Lord will rescue me… - Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
There seems to be a new role for young people to aspire to that didn’t exist when I was growing up – to become an influencer. It seems to me however that the best way to become an influencer is to lead by example. In Psalm 55 we see how David sets us an example on what to do if we are hurt, let down, or maybe even betrayed by someone close to us.
However hurt David felt, and he clearly was hurt, he went to God in his distress, confident that God wouldn’t let him down. And because he did so, and God met his need, he is able to counsel us in verse 22 to follow his example and take our hurts to God.
He was talking from experience of the goodness of God. Surely, that’s the best sort of influence to have – to teach others of the goodness and faithfulness of God, because we have experienced it for ourselves.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for all the good influence I have experienced from those who love You and who have encouraged me by their example. Thank You that David could testify from his own experience of Your keeping power. May I be a good influence on others for Your glory. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.