These are the words of David the shepherd-king. If I had to choose one psalm in the Bible that was my all-time favorite, it would be this one. I love how David boldly asks God for "evidence" of His favor. According to some good definitions of the word "evidence," David is asking the Lord for visible signs of His favor - even a manifestation of God's approval and support. David wants those who hate him to "see" God's favor on his life, in the hope that it will shame them, while it "helps and comforts" him.

Psalm 109 is another passage where David speaks about this same biblical principle. "Help me, O LORD my God! Save me because of Your unfailing love. Let them SEE that this is Your doing, that You yourself have done it, LORD." (v. 26-27 NLT) Here again, David is praying that the Lord will make his enemies aware of the divine favor on his life - favor that manifests in the form of divine help and deliverance.

In Psalm 31, David says: "How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world." (v. 19 NLT) David wants us to know that when we fear and reverence the Lord, and we live lives that honor Him, we are going to be lavished with divine blessings, as our earthly enemies - and the devil himself - watch in horror.

Psalm 23 may be the most famous of David's psalms. I particularly like the God's Word Translation which says: "You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows." (v. 5 GW) David is rejoicing in the fact that the Lord will make his "enemies watch" as He pours out His abundant favor, provision, and victory upon him.

If you are a follower of Christ, then you have the privilege of praying with confidence today - "Send me a miraculous sign to show me how much You love me, so that those who hate me will see it and be ashamed. Don't they know that You, Lord, are my comforter, the One who comes to help me?" (Psalm 86:17 TPT)

Prayer: Lord, I come before You today asking for visible signs of Your favor - even a manifestation of Your approval and support. Cause even those who doubt Your power to see Your hand at work in my life in a mighty way. Thank You that those who oppose me will be "as nothing at all" because of my devotion to You and Your Word! (Isaiah 41:12)