- Victoria Tate
SOAP: Psalm 55:12-18
SOAP is one of the primary ways to dive deep into scripture and get the most out of our time with the Word. If you don’t know what the SOAP method is, it stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer:
Scripture: Physically write out the Bible verse. When writing it down, you are most likely to memorize it and you’re opening up the chance for more to be revealed to through the written words.
Observation: What do you see in the verses you’re reading? Who is speaking? Do you see a theme or something that stands out to you?
Application: How can I apply this to my real life? This is where God’s Word becomes tangible through YOU. What is God saying to you? How can you become more like Him? Are there any changes you could make?
Prayer: Has God revealed something to you during this time that you need to confess OR thank Him for? Do not skip this step! There is power in prayer and this is a great way to complete your reading time.
In today's post, I'm going to share Psalm 55:12-18 and what stood out to me and how I plan to apply to my days and pray.
SCRIPTURE: PSALM 55:12-18
"If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers. Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them. As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me."
OBSERVATION:
David was in great distress when writing this Psalm. He had been plotted against and betrayed by someone who was close to him, who he thought was a friend.
Right from the beginning in v.1 we see David ask God to give ear. This is how we can feel David's pain and worry. The beauty though comes when David remembers how God has been there for him in the past and says in v.17 He hears my voice. How assuring and comforting to know we have a God who hears us, no matter if we are yelling, crying, whispering, or in silence... He hears us.
In v. 12-15 we can see David speak of the betrayal. A quote by Charles Spurgeon said "none are such enemies as false friends". I sat here and put myself in David's shoes. I thought about my closest friends and thought, "what if one was a fake and plotted against me... how would I feel?". I realized I would probably go through the same feelings. Anguish, revenge, attempt at self-deliverance, and then end at true deliverance from the crisis by God.
In v.16, we see David finally give it all the God. But I call to God and the Lord will save me. David went from praying for revenge to declaring his confidence in the Lord.
Through constant prayer, we can develop sincere dependence on God. If we build the foundation of our confidence on scripture and the remembering of His mighty works in the past (Psalm 77), we can navigate clearly through our situations.
After this passage, David goes through it again. Focused on the betrayal, revenge, but this time he skips right to remembering that God can carry our burdens no matter how overwhelming they may be to us.
At the end of the day, we learn from David that during our moments of unwarned change or crisis, we need to make sure our hearts are in the place of relying on God to rescue us and not wish matters into our own hands.
APPLICATION:
The situation of David, a "friend" essentially plotting his death, is a fearful one but to simplify it into just betrayal, we can see that we can experience peace quicker if we can train our hearts and minds to declare God and his authority before declaring destruction/revenge.
What are we asking for during our moments of fear? Are we asking for God to intervene or are we asking for nothing at all and just go into a hole of destruction? By asking God to intervene in both ourselves AND those who have hurt us, we are showing God confidence and obedience and in return will receive safety and redemption. The battle may continue but our very souls can be at peace knowing God IS the frontline.
In every moment, God has always shown himself. By being in scripture daily, we are reminded that God is faithful, loving, merciful, powerful, and full of wisdom. This isn't the first time we have experienced distress in our lives. We know from the past that God rescued us then, even before we were born through Jesus on the cross, and He certainly will rescue us now.
PRAYER:
Lord, fill our hearts with your unshakable love. Help us to train our hearts to remember all you have done for us in the past and let it build deep confidence in knowing that you WILL always rescue us in the future. Just like with David, so often we can find ourselves asking for revenge. I pray that through being in your word and remembering, we can let go of our painful situations from the start by laying them at your feet. Speak wisdom into us so we can speak it into others. I pray we continue to stay rooted in dependence on you. Turn our hardships into peaceful, redeeming testimonies. Let us remain focused on you and not the pain. Amen.
If you have more questions, whether about this passage or Jesus, OR if you feel you are ready to take the leap and receive salvation through faith, then reach out to us at info@truenorthpgh.org We believe that every person will experience tremendous life change once they feel and experience the amazing love of Christ.
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