Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 35:1-3
Ps 35:1-3
1 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. 2 Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. 3 Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
Jesus said in Matt 5:43-45: 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Paul said in 1 Tim 2:1-4: 1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
In all of these the same truth is given; to love the Lord and allow him to take his revenge and let him win our battles. The Psalm was written in a different time when the personal victory of the king of Israel was a victory over the enemies of God and therefore a victory for God. When our lives are so wrapped up in God, his will and his people that we can say with Paul that we no longer live but Christ is living in us, then we can have the same experience as the Psalmist. As Jesus in his final day on earth, we will not seek a personal win or vindication for ourselves but will only seek that which fulfills the will of our Father in heaven.
While we may live in a society that does not properly respect God and his word, we have not seen the wickedness of the Romans and the Greek culture in which the New Testament was written. It is said that in the city of Corinth alone there were over a thousand temple prostitutes; made up of both heterosexual and homosexual and both males and females. Sexual engagement with these was considered as worship to the gods.
We need to regularly pray for the leaders of our nation and for other nations of the world that opportunities will abound for the gospel to be spread, that souls will respond and their faith will be made strong so that God will be glorified.
Heavenly Father, holy and majestic is your name in all the earth. I know that you are in control of all things, including all the rulers and nations of this earth. Please be with the country in which I live and guide our leaders so we will continue to enjoy the freedoms we have to worship you without fear of punishment. Give me a stronger faith so I will put you first in my life and not get caught up in the things of this world and the pleasures around me. Use me to share your gospel and to help those who are weak. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
