David is crying out to God because of his enemies. They are attacking him in different ways and he calls out for God to protect him.

Let me say this, God is very capable of protecting us from all evil. But he doesn't always protect us from evil the way we want Him to.

Yesterday I was thinking about Christians who are persecuted for their faith. Some experience such physical abuse while others are killed.

When the enemy attacks me, I'll pray for deliverance, but if God allows the persecution to come, will I denounce my faith or will I still proclaim my faith?

In Daniel chapter 3, we read the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo. They refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's Golden god. The king said bow down or be thrown into a fiery furnace. The king said, if I throw you into the fiery furnace what god could save you?

Their response was, our God would have no problem saving us from the furnace, but if he chooses not to, let it be known we will not bow down to any other god.

In other words, they were willing to die for their God before they would bow down to the king's god.

That's the attitude I want. I want to serve God no matter what persecution is threatened upon me or done to me. It's something I can't do on my own and would need the power of the Holy Spirit to help me. Matthew 10:22 says, “And you will be hated by all on account of my name but it is the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:32-33 says, “Everyone therefore who shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.”

Lord protect me from my enemies, but if you allow persecution to come because I'm standing up for my faith, then empower me by your spirit so that I'm willing to take the persecution, including death, for the cause of Christ.