Psalm 17:5-7 Prayer for Safety

Psalm 17:5-7 (KJV)  Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. 6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. 7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. 

The LORD saves and undertakes to protect His people until we are conducted all the way to heaven The psalmist saw the precarious path before Him and sought the LORD to help navigate through the minefields of a fallen world.

The word “slip” literally means “tottle, shake, slip” with reference to retiring, deviating from the right course. The psalmist sought the LORD to keep him in the path of righteousness for His Name’s sake.

He is confident that God will hear His prayer and send help for Him so that his path will be one of safety.

Show me thy lovingkindness is the cry of the psalmist. He sought for His kindness, goodness to flow in his life, that the loving favour of God may be upon Him.

Jesus taught His disciples, “men ought always to pray and not to faint”. Will God answer the cry of His people?

Luke 18:7-8a (KJV)  And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.

What is the challenge here? Luke 18:8b says “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” The question begs a negative answer, the faithful who sought the LORD will be few.

Let His people be counted among the faithful who will come boldly to the throne in prayer to find help in times of need. Amen.