As we call upon the Lord, He gives the assurance of His protection.

Psalm 17:1-15

Here is the prayer of a man whose earnest desire is to walk with God, to have a close walk with God in the centre of His will (5). His prayer is sincere. It 'does not rise from deceitful lips' (1). He is painfully aware of 'the onslaughts of the wicked'. His 'enemies cluster round him, breathing hostility' (9). Whatever troubles we may encounter, we must learn to pray with the Psalmist: 'Hear, O Lord, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer' (1). As we call upon the Lord, He gives the assurance of His protection. Through His Word and Spirit, He assures us that He will 'keep us as the apple of His eye' (8). We are precious in His sight. He looks upon us in love. He does not see our sin. He sees us 'in Christ' - 'accepted in the Beloved', 'no condemnation' (Psalm 32:1; Ephesians 1:6; Romans 8:1).