“Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation!’” Psalm 35:3
What does this sweet prayer teach me? It shall be my day’s petition, but first, let it yield me an instructive meditation. The text informs me first of all that David had his doubts—for why should he pray, “Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation’,” if he were not sometimes exercised with doubts and fears?
Let me, then, be of good cheer, for I am not the only saint who has to complain of weakness of faith. If David doubted, I don’t need conclude that I am no Christian because I have doubts. The text reminds me that David was not content while he had doubts and fears, but he repaired at once to the mercy seat to pray for assurance—for he valued it as much as fine gold. I too must labor after an abiding sense of my acceptance in the Beloved, and must have no joy when his love is not shed abroad in my soul. When my Bridegroom is gone from me, my soul must and will fast.
I learn also that David knew where to obtain full assurance. He went to his God in prayer, crying, “Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation!’” I must be much alone with God if I would have a clear sense of Jesus’ love. Let my prayers cease, and my eye of faith will grow dim. Much in prayer, much in heaven. Slow in prayer, slow in progress. I notice that David would not be satisfied unless his assurance had a divine source. “Say unto my soul.” Lord, do you say it! Nothing short of a divine testimony in the soul will ever content the true Christian.
Moreover, David could not rest unless his assurance had a vivid personality about it. “Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation!’” Lord, if you should say this to all the saints, it were nothing, unless you should say it to me. Lord, I have sinned, I deserve not your smile, and I scarcely dare to ask it—but oh! say to my soul, even to my soul, “I am your salvation!” Let me have a present, personal, infallible, indisputable sense that I am yours, and that you are mine.
Adapted from Morning and Evening.
