Day 300: But you, Lord . . . Psalm 109 vs 21 – 31

21 But you, Lord, my Lord, deal kindly with me for your name’s sake; because your faithful love is good, rescue me. 22-25 For I am suffering and needy; my heart is wounded within me. I fade away like a lengthening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust. My knees are weak from fasting, and my body is emaciated. I have become an object of ridicule to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads in scorn.

26-27 Help me, Lord my God; save me according to your faithful love so they may know that this is your hand and that you, Lord, have done it. 28-29 Though they curse, you will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice. My accusers will be clothed with disgrace; they will wear their shame like a cloak.

30 I will fervently thank the  Lord with my mouth; I will praise him in the presence of many. 31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy to save him from those who would condemn him. Psalm 109 Christian Standard Bible

The first twenty verses of this Psalm were David's startling prayer asking God to deal with those who were violently attacking him despite all the good he had done to them. What had their prolonged hostility and accusations resulted in? (vs 22-25)

That's a picture of utter dejection. He'd become someone who people scorned. It's as if they were waiting, vulture like, in the hope that God would end his life. It's what it must have been like too for Jesus Christ when He hung on the cross. So what did David do in this extreme situation he was in? (vs 21 & 26-27)

He cried out to God because he knew that God's love is a faithful love. And he used those wonderful words 'but you Lord'. The apostle Paul did that too when he said: “By nature all of us were subject to God’s anger. But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead.” (Ephesians 2:3-4) David was clinging to the truth that whatever others might do to him, or say about him, they would eventually see that God was with him, and that all that had happened was in God's control. (vs 28-29)

That's a good stand for all who love the Lord to take. We may not be facing the extreme trials David was, but it doesn't mean such trials won't come. The world appears to be growing more and more hostile towards Christians who are faithful to God's word. Like David, a day could come when accusations and threats are made against us. We will need to cling to God's faithful love, and to the words of vs 31 which say: “He stands at the right hand of the needy to save him from those who would condemn him.”

But some will say that vs 31 presents us with a problem. What do you think that might be?

They would point out that believers have not always been rescued out of situations where they were being falsely accused and condemned by enemies. One can think of Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. His accusers gnashed their teeth and stoned him to death. One can think of our Lord Himself who wasn't rescued from the false accusations against Him, and was crucified. So what is our response?

I suggest that the saving work of God David spoke of mustn't be limited to this world. Yes, Stephen was stoned to death - but even as it happened he prayed “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:59) And on the cross Jesus confidently said: “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” (Luke 23:46) God WILL deliver us out of the hands of accusers and enemies. If not in this life, then certainly beyond the grave. That's why when the three God fearing Jews named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were threatened with death in a furnace of fire, they said to their accusers and the King: “We don't need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He doesn't - we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18. That's the confidence we can have in God's faithful love, both in life and in death!