May 10 - Psalm 35-38

Good morning everyone,

This morning as we begin reading we have David calling on the Lord to fight against those who fight against him. First off I want to say how intimate, how personal, it has all become going through the Psalms in this fashion. To me it is like seeing into the heart of David, almost an intrusion on his most personal space . I liken it to finding a diary from two thousand years ago, and opening it up to read the very private thoughts, the “self”, anyone other than God was never meant to see and getting lost in the life of that person.  Make sense? I love it, it leaves me feeling like David is a best friend I have never met, but I do look forward to meeting in heaven.

Anyway, Psalm 35 was most likely written at the time when David was on the run from Saul. You’ll remember Saul got super jealous because the fair maidens, while strolling through the town with jars on their heads to go get water for the home, or with basket on arm fetching produce would sing, “ Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Saul was so jealous, in fact, he personally tried to kill David but when he failed David fled the palace, but Saul wouldn't leave it alone. He continually dogged David and  sought to kill him while others were gossiping and lying about him. How confusing and alone that had to be for young David and so, as David often did, he cries out to God, “Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.” Now, to some could sound a bit like “pounce on em’ God, yea, go get them, knock them dead.” Maybe taking it to be little un-kind, or harsh, but David didn’t pray this with an attitude of “You beat me up now I’m going to go get my big brother to whale on you.” No, it was David turning the injustice over to the Lord to let Him handle it how He saw fit. Letting go and letting God. 

We all have met with injustice in our lives. Seriously? Who has not been wrongly accused, gossiped about, treated unfairly or under attack at one time or another? Some are more severe than others, some are more cruel than others but the truth of the matter is we all experience it on some level and as hard as it may seem at times to swallow our pride and just walk away, that’s what the Lord would have us do. God promises to help the persecuted and bring judgement on those who persecute others. Matthew 5:12 says, “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” And one thing you can take comfort in is that you are in great company, the world hated Jesus. Though innocent, He was publicly mocked, tortured and humiliated and yet from the cross he cried, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

God hears our cries, He gathers our prayers in a bowl (Rev.5:8), storing up all of our tears in a jar (Psalm 56:8) and some day he will wipe them all away for us, but for now … for now friends, God wants to teach us how to connect. How to persevere through difficulties, stretch our faith for times to come, and to grow our experiences allowing us to be able to help others in times of similar hardships. 1 Peter 5:5-6, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”  Amen?

Have a good day and to God be the glory.

God bless you …