Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 35:1-9
Ps 35:1-9
Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation." May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away; may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise--may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.
Rom 12:19-21
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
Very few of us have suffered as much for doing good as did King David. From the time he killed Goliath, things began to go downhill for him. It was only a short time after this battle, and just when everything was looking really good, King Saul became jealous and things turned sour. For the next several years, it was just one close call after another as the king chased him, trying to kill him.
Why all this trouble for a man whose heart was fully devoted to the Lord? Yes, this was the reason. He was trying to do what was right. He was living for God and seeking his honor. He was depending on the Lord to win his battles and to deliver him from those who sought to kill him. The more he did right, the more Saul hated him and feared him, so the more he tried to get rid of him.
We will suffer when we do what is right. There will be difficult times when we set our hearts on serving God and when we put our trust in him. It may be someone does not like us or what we are doing or it may just be random, but good people have always suffered and good people always will. We rejoice in his salvation.
O Lord God, it is such a joy to know that you will deliver me from whatever I go through, today, tomorrow or in the unforeseeable future. Increase my faith so I will always find peace of mind, even in my trials. Use me to help others because I know that when my mind is focused on them, I tend to forget my own troubles. Your grace is always sufficient for me and what I face, so forgive me when I doubt. Increase my love for you and for others around me. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
