Key Verse:
“A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.” Vs. 7, 8 (NLT)
The telephone rang and the familiar voice bid me good morning from across the world. My brother called me early that day, which was quite unusual. At first I thought something bad had happened with a family member, but he quickly dismissed any tragedy. He proceeded to tell me that someone I knew had been arrested for breaking the law. I felt the blood in my veins turn cold. That same person had tried to harm me and my business just one year before. At the time, I wanted to fight and take justice into my own hands, but the Lord clearly told me to forgive and deliver them to Him. And so I did. One year - that is all that it took for God’s justice to be done. The Mighty Judge of the universe honored His Word in my life once again. As verse 8 of Psalm 91 promises, I “only observed with my eyes and (indeed saw) the punishment of the wicked.” All I had to do was stand and wait...nothing else. If there ever was a “Wow” moment in my walk with Christ, that was certainly one.
I believe that we will not always be able to acknowledge, on this side of eternity, the many times God has protected, vindicated us and honored our obedience. I wonder how many times His angels stood between my car and the one in front of me. I wonder how many times He has protected me from getting hurt by delaying my leaving the house another minute or two. I wonder how many times He has charged His angels into mighty spiritual battles against people and demons that tried to harm me. I believe that if we were to receive revelation of these many instances when God has been our Protector, Deliverer and defender, we would fall flat on our face before Him and never fret again. He promises to take care of us and so he does. Every time.
The Battle Belongs to the Lord
“No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.” Psalm 21:30-31 (NLT)
I don’t know about you, but when I am hurt, or someone hurts a loved one, this sanguine girl feels a lot like Peter in Gethsemane. Oh, I certainly can see how I’d be tempted to pick up the sword and slash the ear of the soldier who stepped forward to take my Savior captive. How dare him!
Just like Peter, whenever we or someone we love is wronged, our response is invariably the same. Even if we don’t ever say it out loud, we desire that the person receives justice. Our society loudly preaches this concept – “if you punch me, be prepared to be punched back.” But as you read the New Testament, Jesus taught us that instead of seeking revenge, we are to pray for those who persecute us:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘you shall love your neighbors and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (…)” Matthew 5:43-44 (NASB)
In the Old Testament, instead of taking justice into their own hands, men of God would deliver their enemies into His hand. A good example is David as he was unjustly persecuted by Saul and his kinsman. He cries out to God on Psalm 7:
“Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice!” Vs. 6 (NLT)
David knew of his innocence. He knew his heart was clean before God and that he was being unjustly persecuted. Moreover, because he was blameless before God, he boldly asked Him to favor him with His protection and deliverance:
“The Lord judges the nations. Declare me righteous, O Lord, for I am innocent, O Most High!” Psalm 7:8 (NLT)
God is the Patron of the Innocent.
David had no high court to plea his innocence to. The king was his enemy! The very one who should have righted him was seeking to destroy him. But David had the court of Heaven to go to and a mighty and righteous Judge, who would certainly bring forth His justice in David’s life. David knew that, and as desolate and helpless and I am sure he felt while hiding in caverns and running for his life, he chose to cry out to God instead of seeking vengeance. He prepared his horse for the battle by living a life that pleased God, obeying His commandments and putting Him first. While he was still just a young lad, he witnessed what God did with a tiny stone strategically placed on the giant’s forehead. He also knew it was God Himself who had appointed him as king over Israel and therefore no one could overtake him unless He allowed.
What about you? Has someone wronged you? Have you seen the wicked prosper while you’ve been hurting deeply? Or do you see ungodly people around you seemingly living much better lives than you do, prospering financially, physically or emotionally? Does the justice due you seem to be unnoticed by Almighty God? You’re not alone. Jeremiah, a prophet who knew the just God of Israel questioned the same thing as he was persecuted:
“Lord, you always give me justice when I bring a case before you. So let me bring you this complaint:
Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy? You have planted them, and they have taken root and prospered. Your name is on their lips, but you are far from their hearts. But as for me, Lord, you know my heart. You see me and test my thoughts. Drag these people away like sheep to be butchered! Set them aside to be slaughtered!” Jeremiah 12: 1-3 (NLT)Another Opportunity to Grow your Faith
Do you believe that God will defend you? Through persecution, He may be giving you an opportunity once again to stand up on His Word and prove His faithfulness. We should see our trials as awesome landmarks of spiritual growth, and persecution should be no different. Instead of seeking to do justice with your own hands, set your eyes upon His promises and let Him take care of your enemies. Instead of fighting your battles, pray that God will work on your heart that you may get to the place where you honestly pray for those who harm you. I can personally testify to this: God’s justice may take much longer than what I would like, but it is always accomplished.
No human strength, understanding or plan can stand against the Lord, my friend! Better yet, not even plans that come from the depth of hell itself can destroy God’s children! I love it how “The Message” translation so vividly portraits how God protects His redeemed:
“So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture.(…) I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. ” Romans 8:31-39 (The Message – emphasis added)
What a promise!!
In the Shelter of the Almighty
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (NIV)
It is very relevant that David starts this psalm with the condition under which God’s people can claim to receive His protection, deliverance, justice and favor. This divine privilege is only awarded to those who dwell in His shelter and rest under His shadow. Notice that the verb is “to dwell.” That does not mean Sunday visitations or the quest of the desperate, who hurry to God only when trouble strikes. Truth being told, the longer one dwells in God’s presence, the more he or she understands how little that has to do with religion.
Those who dwell in the Shelter of the Almighty deliberately reach out to God, seeking to know Him in an intimate way. It has to do with submitting ourselves to Him as living sacrifices and seeking to honor Him in all we do; not because we have to, but because we love Him. It has little to do with how many ministries we are involved with, how much we give to the church or how often we are there. It has to do with how many times we open our Bibles, eager to know our Maker intimately. It has to do with how much we negate our desires and dreams to obey God and pursue that which He has called us to do. It has to do with trusting Him, even when we are wronged, humiliated or despised, because we truly understand that those who seek to harm God’s children become, ultimately, enemies of their Father.
You may have been hurt in the deepest way imaginable. Your heart may be crushed and you may feel like no one can understand or help. Remember this – David cried out to a God of justice because He dwelt in His presence. The battle is only yours if you are not near God. If you are living a life that seeks to please Him and honor Him; if you are living in His shelter; the God, the Mighty Judge of the universe sees your affliction. He sees your heart and what you are going through. He will deliver you and I guarantee you, my friend, you WILL see His justice come forth. You don’t have to fight. Just rest under His shadow and watch Him act on your behalf.
Eventually, I assure you that you will join David in his song of victory, when God delivered him from Saul and his other enemies:
“The Lord lives! Praise my defender! Proclaim the greatness of the strong God who saves me! He gives me victory over my enemies; he subdues the nations under me and saves me from my foes.” 2 Sam 22:47-49 (NLT)
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that stands forever. Thank you for Your promises, which never fail. Thank you that You promise to deliver me from those who try to harm me and that I don’t ever have to fight my battles, because You are my Defender and Shield. I pray for my enemies, Lord, that they may see the harm that they’ve done, repent and turn to You. Remind me, Lord, to keep my heart pure before You and to delight myself in knowing You more intimately each day and loving You with all that I do. Remind me that this is my only part in the battle: to dwell in Your presence and keep a heart that is pure before You. I praise You for what I know You will do in my life. In Jesus’ Mighty Name I pray, Amen.
