But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. Psalm 69:13-14 ESV

Here is the prayer of a man sore pressed on all sides by enemies without cause. David understood that fellowship with God begins with prayer.  I have all these troubles, but I have absolute faith and reliance on You (“but as for me my prayer is to you”). At a time of your choosing and in your providence (at an acceptable time), I trust in your lovingkindness (steadfast love1) to rescue me from those who hate me and from the deep water. And to deliver me unto salvation (your saving faithfulness).

These are the words of “a man after God’s own heart.” But more importantly, they are the inspired and written down Word of God for His Creation. For us. They are what God wants us to know.  

So what do we learn from them?  First, what a relationship with God (fellowship) looks like.  Secondly, what completely surrendered faith looks like; I trust you for the answer, whenever and whatever it might be.   And third, and possibly most important, the nature of God’s lovingkindness (steadfast love).

Father, thank you for your chesed love which gave us the life of David, the written testimony of The Word to teach and guide us, and most of all thank you for your saving faithfulness in sending your only son Jesus the Christ to give his life for our sin and thus reconcile us to You. Amen.

Written By: Ken Philip

 1 From the Hebrew chesed (also hesed) (Greek agape): lovingkindness, unconditional extravagant love, the compulsion to give and to love without limit those who have no merit. Chesed is one of the attributes of God’s character, maybe the attribute since His love encompasses all His other attributes (God is love). Chesed love cannot be defined or experienced apart from the fullness of God’s character. It is a supernatural, multifaceted love that is only realized, practiced, and experienced through God. Although not the same as human love, it can be experienced by humans (Jonathan and David, 1 Samuel 18:3; Ruth and Boaz, Ruth 3:10). Chesed love is why God never gives up on His children, even though they repeatedly fall into idolatry and sin.  It is the reason He sent His only Son on a rescue mission.