February 9, 2013 A Tough Prayer

Read Psalm 35 A Tough Prayer Psalms 35:4 May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay…9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation. JESUS says, in Matthew 5:44 “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” David certainly isn’t obeying that command is he? David’s on a rampage. He’s praying for the Lord to destroy his enemies. David is tired of people opposing him, and he’s tired of God standing by, seeming to do nothing about it. David seems to be bargaining with God in his prayer. “Lord, squash my enemies. Throw them in a pit, God, and I’ll praise you!” What can you learn from these words that seem to oppose God’s Word? There are numerous conversations in the Bible between God and men who are frustrated with God’s waiting. They long to see him work. They bargain with him. They lose faith. They wonder, “When? Why?” Then God shows up, and he does exactly what he needs to do to redeem, restore and revive his broken servants. David’s prayer is impatient and vengeful. He would have to learn to wait on God’s deliverance and that in truth, as a sinful man, he was an enemy of God. His vengeful words, needed to turn to words of peace for his enemies in the manner of peace Jesus offered his disciples. The lesson of this psalm is to trust God to deal with your enemies. Obey Jesus’ words. Then trust him to act in his own time and good will to be your salvation. It’s True! “Living he love me. Dieing he saved. Buried he carried my sins far away.” (Glorious Day by Casting Crowns)