Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible.
1 “O LORD, oppose those who oppose me. Declare war on those who are attacking me. 2 Put on YOUR armor and take up YOUR shield. Prepare for battle and come to my aid. 3 Lift up YOUR spear and javelin and block the way of my enemies. Let me hear YOU say, ‘I am your salvation!’” ~ Psalm 35:1-3
This is one of the “imprecatory” – or cursing – psalms that call upon GOD to deal with enemies. These psalms sound extremely harsh, but we must remember: (1) David could not understand why he was forced to flee from men who where unjustly seeking to kill him. He was GOD’s anointed king over a nation called to annihilate the evil people of the land. (2) David’s call for justice was sincere; it was not a cover for his own personal vengeance. He truly wanted GOD’s perfect ideal for his nation. (3) David did not say the he would take revenge; he gave the matter to GOD. These were merely his suggestions. (4) These psalms use hyperbole – or overstatement. They were meant to motivate others to take a strong stand against sin and evil.
Cruelty may be far removed from some people’s experience, but it is a daily reality to others. GOD promises to help the persecuted and to bring judgment on unrepentant sinners. When we pray for justice to be done, we are praying as David did. When Christ returns, the wicked will be punished.
22 “O LORD, YOU know all about this. Do not stay silent. Do not abandon me now, O LORD. 23 Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my GOD and my LORD. 24 Declare me “not guilty,” O LORD my GOD, for YOU give justice. Do not let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles. 25 Do not let them say, ‘Look! We have what we wanted! Now we will eat him alive!’” – Psalm 35:22-25 – David cried out to GOD to defend him when people wrongly accuse him. If we are unjustly accused, our natural reaction may be to lash out in revenge or to give a detailed defense of your every move. Instead, we can ask GOD to fight the battle for us. HE will clear our name in the eyes of those who really matter.
Father, YOU are our salvation. YOU promise to help us when we are being persecuted and YOU do it. YOU bring judgment on unrepentant sinners and bring justice to the wrongly accused. Father, we ask YOU to fight all our battles for us because we know LORD that it will be the most perfect outcome. YOU have the final say LORD.
Photo: Willimasburg (Virginia)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
