Today's reading - Psalm 109, Hebrews 2:14-15

“This is a Psalm of David, and is thought to be the strongest of what are known as the imprecatory psalms, David’s songs that call down curses upon his enemies. It is important to remember that these are prayers, committing vengeance unto God. With the greater revelation of grace and truth that came by Jesus Christ, we understand that we are to pray for the good of our enemies, and not for their ruin.

Yet, we remind ourselves that David refused to act upon these curses; he left vengeance up to God. This is especially relevant regarding David, who knew what it was to take life with the sword. When David withheld vengeance, it was because he chose to, not because he lacked the opportunity, skill, or courage.” (enduringword.com)

When my husband and I married, we were the only Christians in both our families and for the first years we were the object of the hate and mockery of our closest relatives: for example: his mother hated me, and my mother hated him! This (plus other family issues) inflicted in us so much pain and this also brought problems into our marriage! It was very difficult for us to bear this situation! Only through God’s Word were we able to stand firm, love and forgive our family. Paul encourages to:

^“ In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. (Eph. 6:10)

I remember a Christian friend that would say this: “he (she) is an instrument of satan!”, I could not fully grasp this, but the more I grew in His Word I could now understand why she said it:

^“ Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11 AMP- emphasis mine)

Just as David we now know what it is to have to suffer from the attacks of our fiery enemies, especially those of us who are now in Christ whose first enemy is Satan, who came to steal, kill and destroy us, our families, our marriages, our faith, etc. (John 10:10), and as Paul continues to warn us:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. “ (Ephesians 6:12 AMP)

The only way we could fight back the attacks from our families was crying out to the Lord in prayer, like David did:

“O God of my praise! Do not keep silent, ² For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
³ They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And have fought against me without a cause.⁴ In return for my love, they attack me, But I am in prayer. ⁵ They have repaid me evil for good, And hatred for my love.” (Psalm 109:1-5 AMP)

Then some years later, our Heavenly Father literally took us away from our enemies, when we moved thousands of miles away from our families, and friends. We began attending a wonderful Church were we grew spiritually and all of a sudden we found ourselves surrounded by our spiritual family, whom we dearly loved over the years! And also over the years we learned to love and forgive our families:

^“7 The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.] ⁸ Above all, have ^[a]fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].” (1 Peter 4:7-8)

We would travel back home to visit our families at least once a year and they expressed how much they missed us, and some were also willing to listen to us as we shared the Gospel!

Now, as I look back, I can only praise our Abba like David did:

^“I will give great praise and thanks to the Lord with my mouth; And in the midst of many I will praise Him. ³¹ For He will stand at the right hand of the needy, To save him from those who judge his soul.” (Psalm 109:30-31)

 “The psalm began with addressing ‘the God of my praise’; it ends with the confidence and the vow that the singer will yet praise Him. It painted an adversary standing at the right hand of the wicked to condemn him; it ends with the assurance that Jehovah stands at the right hand of His afflicted servant, as his advocate to protect him.” (Maclaren)

Let us pray: (Psalm 34:14-19)

Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your lovingkindness and Your Word that instructs us. We humbly come to You and we ask you “14 to turn us away from evil and do good; to guide us to seek peace and pursue it. 15 For Your eyes are toward the righteous [those with moral courage and spiritual integrity] And Your ears are open to their cry. We thank You, because 16 Your Face oh Lord, is against those who do evil, and You cut off the memory of them from the earth. ¹⁷When the righteous cry [for help],  You Lord hear and rescue us from all our distress and troubles. ¹⁸ You Lord are near to the heartbroken and You save those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin).¹⁹Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, but You Lord rescue us from them all. (Psalm 34: 14-19) We praise You and give You thanks for You have promised to stand at the right hand of the needy! In Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen!

Mari