Setting God Before You

READ PSALM 54

Psalm 54:3 For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves. Selah

What does setting God before you look like? When you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, you will place His will and His ways as the number one priority in your life. Your life will reflect the light of the Lord and holy living will be evident to those around you.

Simply put, God's Word will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. (Psalm 119:105)

In Psalm 16:8 Scripture says, "the righteous set the Lord continually before them." Well, in the case of our chapter today in Psalm 54, it is the unrighteous who are pursuing David and trying to harm him. The unrighteous don't have God on their radar. David doesn't attempt to attack the men in return, but he also doesn't act like a scared, injured animal.

David appeals to God in prayer and reminds the Lord of His promise to work on behalf of those who pursue righteous living. (A truth Paul will write about in Romans 8:28)

That is why the word "Selah" appears at the end of such a stressful sentence. The word means to "rest" in the thought of the words just shared. WHAT?! "Strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they don't set God before them...Selah?" Rest after that! Yes, Selah. You see, David trusted in the Lord. He was at peace knowing that even in his most difficult challenges, God would keep His promises. Let this Psalm be a reminder to us that pursuing Godly living doesn't equal smooth sailing. It often means the opposite.

Jesus talked about this when he said the world would hate his followers because it first hated him, but take heart, he has overcome the world. (John 15:18) Yes, "take heart" or to say it another way, "Selah."

Set God before you and stay on the path He has assigned for you. Enemies may rise up along the way, but take heart, God promises to defend those who stay on the path that leads to Him.

Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of Crosswalk Church in Brentwood, TN.

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