the prayer of the innocent

 Psalm 17:1–15 (ESV): 

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! 

Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! 

2  From your presence let my vindication come! 

Let your eyes behold the right! 

3  You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, 

you have tested me, and you will find nothing; 

I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. 

4  With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips 

I have avoided the ways of the violent. 

5  My steps have held fast to your paths; 

my feet have not slipped. 

6  I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; 

incline your ear to me; hear my words. 

7  Wondrously show your steadfast love, 

O Saviour of those who seek refuge 

from their adversaries at your right hand. 

8  Keep me as the apple of your eye; 

hide me in the shadow of your wings, 

9  from the wicked who do me violence, 

my deadly enemies who surround me. 

10  They close their hearts to pity; 

with their mouths they speak arrogantly. 

11  They have now surrounded our steps; 

they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. 

12  He is like a lion eager to tear, 

as a young lion lurking in ambush. 

13  Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! 

Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, 

14  from men by your hand, O Lord, 

from men of the world whose portion is in this life. 

You fill their womb with treasure; 

they are satisfied with children, 

and they leave their abundance to their infants. 

15  As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; 

when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. 

David proclaims innocence - he does his best to honour God not just in the way he speaks to Him, but through how he lives his life. David considers his words and actions as he goes about his ordinary day, thinking about how he speaks to and treats others, the decisions he makes and how that reflects the faith he has. He considers God as he goes about his ordinary, day-to-day business, do you? David also takes time to evaluate his responses, he is great at self-reflection being honest about his mistakes and his innocence in situations. It is difficult to be so honest even with ourselves at times, yet David seems to have been good at evaluating his actions and motives and considering how they demonstrate his love for God. It is from this position of openness and self-reflection that David has incredible conversations and relationship with God. 

David is conscious of God’s presence always and determines to do his best to keep in line with God’s will. He knows that he can approach God as one who is living in God’s favour. Not because he was perfect, but because he was open and honest with God. He has built a relationship of trust with Him and enjoys the relationship he has with God, so he is mindful of it everyday and everywhere. This has therefore impacted how David lives his life. He is different to those, 'lurking' trying to capture and hurt him, and those who are in live with Earthly treasures. Instead of being bound up with life in this world, David has decided to live his life with God, therefore this life and it's stuff is not as attractive for David, but a relationship with God is to be valued, sought and lived for. Therefore he does his best to live right for God. Not for himself or others, but because he knows being in right relationship with God is the best position to be. No matter what else comes his way; whether riches, poverty, illness, friends or foes, David knows that if he lives following God's path he can seek God for wisdom, guidance and help. Are you living right before God? Can you expect God to assist you because you are doing your best to live the way He wants you to live?

Before you ask God for anything, examine your heart, your motives and your actions. Then, once you have assessed your right to ask God, you will know whether you need to come to him in repentance or in supplication. If you want and expect God to show up, to transform situations in your life, you need to fairly assess yourself. As David did, consider if you are living in innocence before God and man, have you guarded your words and your actions? If there is any wrong in you, ask God to point it out. David was clearly in distress as he wrote this psalm, but he knew he could petition God as he was convinced and assured of his innocence, are you? Will you listen when God visits you in the night, tries your heart and tests you? 

If you want to know God's powerful love and breakthrough in your life, you need to make sure that you are living conscious of His presence in every area of your life. That you are aligning your life with His will, not your own or anyone elses. Determine to live in innocence before God then, when you need His help you can have confidence that God will act as you say along with David, 'My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. 6  I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God'.

Are you the kind of person God wants to spend time with?

Psalm 15:1–5 (ESV):  

1  O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? 

Who shall dwell on your holy hill? 

2  He who walks blamelessly and does what is right 

and speaks truth in his heart; 

3  who does not slander with his tongue 

and does no evil to his neighbour, 

nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 

4  in whose eyes a vile person is despised, 

but who honours those who fear the Lord; 

who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 

5  who does not put out his money at interest 

and does not take a bribe against the innocent. 

He who does these things shall never be moved. 

This psalm shows us the type of person God wishes to spend time with. There are specific characteristics that God is looking for in those he invites into His tent. These attributes demonstrate the character and integrity of a person and the morals that they live by. 

So, who does God want being involved in His life - what kind of person does He invite into His town and even His tent?

From this psalm we can see that God values and desires to have time with those who;

• Do the right thing. Both openly and in secret. (V2)
• Are honest. Even about how they are really feeling. They say what they mean and mean what they say (v2)
• Do not speak badly of others - no gossip, accusing, or going along with what everyone else says (even if you think it is true) (v3)
• Do not cause harm to others, or do/say things that will only benefit themselves but not anyone else. (v3)
• Respects and honours his friends even when he disagrees with them and their actions. Someone who does not express criticism, disapproval or disappointment in those they care about with other people. (v3)
• Is mindful of whom they admire. (v4) Someone who does not extol or promote a person who does not follow God. Who in fact hates the evil within them, no matter what they have achieved. Yet always speaks well of and honours those who follow God. Even when they go awry or do not seem impressive. (v4)
• Admit it when they are in pain - whether that's emotional, mental or physical, and still keep following God. They remember who they are and who they belong to and so do not allow disappointment or discomfort change their behaviour. These people are genuine. No matter what life throws at them they keep going in faith with no pretence. (v4)
• Do not make a profit out of people less fortunate than themselves.
• Accepts no bribery.

Are you this kind of person? Do you have the characteristics of someone God wants to spend time with?

Overall, it seems that God is looking for genuine people. Not perfect ones. This psalm, interestingly, does not say anything about being free from sin, it is all about how you treat others and how honest you are with them (and yourself). Although, a perfect God cannot tolerate sin and anyone who would want this invite into God's presence would be aware and conscious of that. That is why Jesus lived and died - to mend the brokenness and clean the sin that gets in the way of us having a relationship with God. This psalm is written for those who accept God's forgiveness and want to get closer to God. The purpose then of this psalm is to show those who wish to be more intimate with God what He is looking for. 

God is looking for; genuine, honest, open, kind people of integrity. When He looks at you, what will he find? Are you living as someone God wants to spend time with?