To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit (v. 1, ESV).
This Psalm is for those who stand for righteousness in the public square.
King David, a public figure, stood for truth during lies and the prevalence of evil. He prayed, but God did not respond immediately. Not hearing God’s voice or answers to his prayers, David describes his emotional state …
Verse 1: He felt like a dead man – I become like those who go down to the pit.
Verse 3: He felt like he was in prison – Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil.
Today, good has become evil and evil has become good.
Those standing for Biblical values will be mocked. Churches and individual believers must be wise as serpents but innocent as doves. However, sooner or later we must speak the truth.
And when we do, watch out!
Read any newsfeed to see vitriol splattered against truth today. Speaking God’s Word on college campuses, at school board meetings, and in blogs brings instant persecution. Christian values aren’t esteemed today but are used as an indicator of enemies to the “anything, anywhere, anytime, with any person” philosophy of the age.
When David prayed about evil, God didn’t answer immediately.
Praying for personal needs and praying for public redemption have different timings. God can answer us immediately, but in praying for our country, His timing is interwoven with His eternal purposes.
David began to understand God’s “public” or “national” interests and changed his prayers.
Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward (v. 4).
God is patient toward sinners. He allows them to wallow in their own mire until they get tired of the stink of their own beliefs. We see this in our country – policies of licentiousness in public schools, confusion about restrooms, runaway debt, hard work ridiculed, entitlement, and the Bible slammed in movies and on television.
Living in darkness allows darkness to consume.
Some will turn toward the light and others will continue to revile. Scripture describes continued rebellion resulting in ever-increasing difficulties.
As David says …
Because they do not regard the works of the Lord or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more (v. 5).
When King David understood that God listens to all our prayers but works according to His ultimate purposes, he writes …
Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped (vv. 6-7).
One last point from Psalm 28 …
God is a saving refuge for His people (v. 8, OGV).
In the end times, we will be persecuted. We will also find refuge – spiritually, emotionally, and physically – in God’s care.