This is the first time in the many years of writing that I venture to write about the subject of unanswered prayers. It is not something that anyone necessarily wants to hear, but it is very openly spoken about from one end of the Bible to the other. In fact there are many Scriptures that produce, or should produce great fear, repentance, and reverence for the Lord’s position, and spoken Word on this very subject.
In today’s text, David is referring to friends, turned enemies who have betrayed him, for whom he has prayed and fasted. We receive insight of these contentions in some of the following verses 7 + 10b -11a -12a + 15a/b: “For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my soul. …him who robs him. Malicious witnesses rise up…They repay evil for good…At my stumbling they rejoiced…they slandered me without a cause.” Psalm 55: 12 + 13: says, “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear it; nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend.
We can plainly see that David is in turmoil as he pours out his heart before the Lord, as though he is unbelieving that people whom he knows could possibly be treacherous toward him; Also, that the Lord is not answering his prayers for them. However, the Lord’s position and Words are very clear, as is written in 1 Chronicles 16: 22 + 21: “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My Prophets no harm. He permitted no man to oppress them (to do them wrong), and He reproved kings for their sake.” With these words we see that the Lord is taking a Divine position for those whom He chooses, and against those who would come against them for harm.
Very fearful words are spoken in Ezekiel 14: 12 – 14: saying, “Then the Word of the Lord came to me saying, “Son of man, if a country sins against Me by committing unfaithfulness, and I stretch out My Hand against it, destroying its supply of bread, send famine against it, and cut off from it both man and beast, even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves,” declares the Lord.” When God says “NO,” He means “NO.” One of the most fearful Scriptures is found in Psalm 18: 4: which says, “They (David’s enemies) cried for help, but there was none to save, even to the Lord, but He did not answer them.”
Malachi 3: 18 + 16 – 17: says, “So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve God. Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a Book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His Name. And they will be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.”
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: thank You so very much for Your awesome Word in its entirety. Thank You that it is Your Word, and it is ever settled in Heaven (Psalm 119 – 89), and cannot be undone, no matter how much anyone would try to amend it for their own personal purposes. Come by Your Holy Spirit, and bring much conviction and comfort to all, that You are a Shield and Defender of all who seek Refuge in You. Glory to you alone!
