In Psalm 5 the psalmist indicated he started right in the morning by praying for God’s help, and continued praying throughout the day to keep that focus in his walk with God. It’s not that at times thoughts of what he encountered in his environment distracted him from maintaining his focus, but he kept bringing his thoughts captive unto the commitment to God he affirmed each morning. He knew this was important if he wanted to walk with the king. And he knew that as he walked with the Lord, his king, regularly taking refuge in Him, his life would be blessed.
He describes this in verses 11-12: “Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you; For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
Isn’t that a beautiful picture of what you would want your walk with the king to be. God’s protection frees you from the threats of the antagonistic environment in which you live. This alone should make you glad and cause songs of joy to spring up in your heart.
The joy will not primarily spring from your blessings, but from your close relationship with God. He is your joy! This sense of His presence surrounds you with His favor as with a shield.
Knowing what the psalmist described about “walking with the king” should encourage us to follow his example: start each day by praying in the morning for God’s help, and then, throughout the day keep your focus on God. Though temptations and distractions come, God will sustain you
