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by Sandy Shaw
How often have we been in a situation like this? How often have we wanted and needed to cry out to God like this? David's responsibility is to take refuge, and our Almighty God undertakes to deliver him. We move into Psalm 7.
It can be dangerous at times to be a man of God, and do we not need frequent reminding of that?
There are lions going around ready to tear us, and rend us in pieces, with the aim of destroying those who belong to Jesus Christ. That is happening in many nations. Wherever you are, you may be very aware of that being the situation where you live and serve and witness to Jesus Christ.
There are those who have found that Jesus has come in answer to their cry, and He protects and delivers you, unhurt and unharmed. But there are others where this has not happened. We hear about this weekly, and this was the experience of the disciples of Jesus in these early days, as we have read of what happened to them in the Book of ACTS.
We know the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
The attacker attacks - the attacker pursues – the attacker can cripple, seeking to destroy and devour.
What David is suffering from here, is the enemy using men to accuse him falsely. We see that in verse 14. Once ill words get into peoples' mouths it is not easy to get them out again.
As a shepherd, David knew what a lion could do to a lamb or a sheep - pounce on it - tear it – and rend it to pieces and devour it.
In verse 3, David is examining himself, and he pleads his innocence to GOD.
"Lord, if I have been all that wrong, then let me pay for it.” He is prepared to suffer for his wrongdoing, but he knew his conscience was now clear, and a clear conscience allows him to sit serene and confident amidst his accusers.
This Psalm has been called "The Song of the Slandered Saint".
His innocence cannot shield him from the slanderous words of his enemies.
It is when a tree is laden with fruit, that it is attacked.
David was spiritual man - his trust was in God - spiritual fruit was beginning to show and as soon as this happened, his enemies began to throw stones at him.
Again we see that in the lives of the early disciples of Jesus. It was physical and real – and still is.
In his time of need - his times of need - David turns to God in prayer.
What is the answer in this situation? God Himself!
There are times when we have to turn to God and call upon His Name, asking for mercy and grace and forgiveness and strength.
There are times when we have to confess our sins, and be quite specific regarding our circumstances, and our need – like blind Bartimaeus.
There are times when only God alone can help us and lift us and encourage us and comfort us with the fortifying presence of the Holy Spirit – and if we have a praying fellowship, and praying friends around us, that can make our lives slightly less painful.
Cultivate now, praying friends. Surround yourself with a loving gracious praying fellowship, before the intensity of the battle increases.
Never think, or consider for a moment, that you are not in a battle!
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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