Psalms 70:1

The Bible says in Psalms 70:1, “Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.” Once again David prays to God for help. It is good to follow David’s example. We often need help because that is the way life is. The problem with most people is that they react the wrong way when they need help. They get angry, or they take things into their own hands, or they look for help from other people instead of God. As believers, we want to make sure that we turn to the Lord Jesus immediately.

The Bible says in Psalms 70:2-3, “Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.[3] Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.” These two verses talk about the just judgment of those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice that such wicked people desire to see Christians “hurt.” That does seem strange in that we only want to see them blessed by becoming believers in Jesus. Nevertheless, it is a spiritual battle taking place, and once a human being has decided to hate God, they also hate the believers. Notice the words used to describe the last estate of such unbelievers: “ashamed and confounded,” “confusion,” and “turned back.”

The spiritual experience of believers is much better. It says in Psalms 70:4-5, “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.[5] But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.” In order to have a life of rejoicing and gladness, you need to be someone who seeks God. In other words the Bible teaches that happiness is knowing the Lord Jesus and having a close relationship with Him.

Notice that verse four uses the phrase, “love thy salvation.” Once you have faith in Jesus, it means that you have received His salvation. All of your sins are forgiven, and you will live in heaven forever. Jesus died on the cross so that this salvation could be given to you. If you think about the implications of such a salvation, then surely you will love your salvation and you will love the Lord Jesus who gave it to you.

Even though I am saved, I am still “poor and needy.” I rely upon the Lord every moment of every day, and I constantly find myself in situations just like David where I cry out to the Lord: “Help.” The Lord always answers that prayer.

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