Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 35:11-18
Ps 35:11-18
11 Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. 12 They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn. 13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, 14 I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. 15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing. 16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me. 17 O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. 18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.
Matt 5:11-12
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
As we study the life of David, it is easy to see how he would have written these words on several different occasions. While he lived a glorious life of splendor in many ways for many years, there are very few people who were mistreated as badly and as often as was he. But even more than David, when I read this Psalm, I am reminded of our Lord and all the things he had to endure while here on earth as one of us. He was the best person who ever lived and was lied about, slandered by the religious leaders of his day, and eventually tortured and put to death.
So when life gives us a “bad hand” or we find out that our best friend has turned on us or has betrayed our confidence, we should not be surprised, nor should we give up on God. Every vile act toward Jesus was met with his love and compassion toward those who did them. He even restored the ear of Malchus, who had come to arrest him and then asked God to forgive those who were putting him to death on the cross. So we are to forgive as God in Christ has forgiven us.
O Lord God I am so ashamed of so many things I have done over the years and things I have said about others. I see in my heart one who wants to serve you and be just like Jesus but I see in my life, far too often, one who is selfish or one who has bitterness or is judgmental. Forgive me and help me put all of these to death and allow Jesus to live in me. Lord, I have friends whose treatments and surgeries have been successful and I thank you and praise you for this. Continue to be with them and give them your continued healing. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
