Psalm 70:1-4
Please, God, rescue me! 
Come quickly, Lord, and help me. 
May those who try to kill me 
be humiliated and put to shame. 
May those who take delight in my trouble 
be turned back in disgrace. 
Let them be horrified by their shame, 
for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!” 
But may all who search for you 
be filled with joy and gladness in you. 
May those who love your salvation 
repeatedly shout, “God is great!” (NLT)

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There are three kinds of pursuit taking place in this psalm. First, King David pursues God for deliverance. Second, there are those who are pursuing David to do him in, to bring him to an end forever. Third, there are those who join David in pursuing God. 

King David spent much of his younger years of leadership on the run from his father-in-law, King Saul. Some of his most heartfelt psalms come from this period of life on the run. He learned to pursue God as he was being pursued. Fortunately, we can learn to pursue God when no one is chasing us. 

King David here prays for his pursuers to come to a place of repentance. Verse two says in part, “May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace.” Verse three begins, “Let them be horrified by their shame.”

King David then turns this idea of pursuit toward an even more positive focus. Verse 4 begins with these words: 

But may all who search for you
Be filled with joy and gladness in you.

He wants everyone to pursue God as he does. He wants everyone, including those who are pursuing him to kill him, to seek God and find him. He wants God to turn his enemies into friends and brothers. He wants them to learn to love God and to love those God loves.

Who is pursuing you today?

How are you pursuing God

How are you praying for others to pursue God, and how will you help them learn how to do so?

May all your pursuits be just, fruitful, and lead to safety and salvation. 

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I will pursue God at all times whether or not someone is chasing me.

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Our Father, I want more of you. I want more of you for myself. I want more of you for those who want less of me. I want the both of us to sing your praises in glorious harmony. Amen.