The desire for vindication is something we all feel from time to time. It typically arises from some sort of prejudicial or ignorant judgment against us that we feel is unwarranted, and we long for the opportunity to prove ourselves. It can be as simple as an everyday misunderstanding between spouses: “I am sure you had the keys last”; to the kinds of prejudiced assumptions made of various marginalized communities in our society.
Psalm 54 finds David at a time when Saul unjustly pursues him, and thus the psalm begins straightaway with a plea for salvation: “O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might.” When you feel the pressing need of vindication, how do you work through it? It is interesting to me that David does not turn to personal strength or political influence, but relies entirely upon the Lord. He appeals to God’s might, by which he was able to help him; and to his name, by which he was engaged to help him. He pleas for the Lord to judge him favourably before his enemies; in so doing, David receives his vindication from an authority greater than his own strength or political standing. David’s rescue will, therefore, provide the surest evidence that he was in the right and that God had answered his prayers.
Something to Understand:
Though many things contributed to Saul’s growing paranoia toward David, 1 Samuel 18:12 tells us simply, “Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul.” There are times when you will be opposed simply because of who you are in Christ. In such times it is always tempting to respond with an appeal to human power or wisdom, but think upon Christ of whom Peter wrote: “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:22,23 – emphasis added)”