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by Sandy Shaw
If I have done wrong then let the enemy pursue me. He has every right to. We are in Psalm 7 and at verses 4,5, reading of one of King David’s very real battles.
Integrity involves - doing no injustice - not harming a friend – and not taking advantage of someone.
Jesus says to us - Love your enemies - Bless them that curse you - Do good to those that hate you.
If you know of anyone who is cursing you, just seek to bless them.
Pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you.
When someone really despises you, pray for the individual. That person is in great need - great need - and we need protection from those who would trample us.
This Psalm leads us on to matters that are so positive and practical as we consider the words of Jesus in the light of what David is experiencing.
Verse 6 - Arise O Lord in anger against the anger of my enemies.
The man who has confessed his sins - and trusts in God - can pray with confidence.
David asks for nothing more than God's will be done. He asks for nothing more than what God commands.
He asks for all the peoples to be assembled around YOU - and let the Lord judge.
David is preparing people to receive the verdict.
One day that will happen.
And David prays – judge me according to my righteousness.
"Lord, I appeal to you to justify me."
That is one of the blessings we have in Jesus Christ. He justifies us. The blood of Jesus - it washes white as snow. We see something here too of the importance God places upon us to be people of integrity.
Verse 9 - Let the wickedness come to an end. O how many have prayed that over the years! We know that one day it will. There will be universal judgement - searching judgement - righteous judgement and righteous vindication.
In Matthew Chapter 10 at verse 26 Jesus teaches us that nothing will be concealed for ever - and also in Hebrews Chapter 4 verse 13. Everything will be revealed. That must cause some people to tremble.
Verse 10 – Again, David refers to God as his shield. It is not wrong to keep repeating things that are relevant and true, and our people need frequent reminding of these basic truths.
Teach people the truths of the Scriptures whenever you can.
Verse 11 tells us that God is a Judge, Who is perfectly fair.
David was prepared to be judged fairly.
If a man will not turn and repent, he will be hurt and wounded and slain by the sharp sword of God - or else an arrow will pierce him - as God points His arrows against those who persecute His people.
And yet, David wants to see those who are persecuting him repenting and turning to God. He is so full of grace and love.
But, punishment will not be too light. Many complain of this today, but not on that day.
The Justice of God is always correct - always impartial – true, and fair.
Verses 14 to 16 speak about those who have been giving David a difficult time.
They have dug a pit for me to fall in, and they have fallen into it themselves. What a man sows, he will reap.
Some people traffic and trade in wickedness. If a man plays with moral or spiritual fire, he will find the cinders retain their heat, and they can rekindle and burn a person.
Man's own violence descends upon his own head. It rebounds. We have treated God's Ways and God's Word and His Commands violently, and presently we are suffering.
It is possible to outrun the arm of the law, but not the Arm of the Lord.
David is delivered, and deliverance gives rise to praise.
If you are going through a rough time, when you might be being slandered, or physically attacked, or mentally and emotionally abused, know that in Christ Jesus you will smile again, and rise to praise Him, for His grace and mercy and strength and power.
When the man of God sees the Lord God at work, he just wants to praise Him and thank Him. David is singing praises to the Lord Most High, and the slandered saint is now singing. The persecuted one is now praising.
He who has put his trust in God is triumphing. He sowed good seed, and now he is reaping a good harvest.
"To bless God for miseries is the way to remove them -
To bless God for mercies is the way to increase them."
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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