Psalm Chapter 142

Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.

Psalm 142:1 I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
2 I poured out my complaint before him; I showed before him my trouble.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

David was a compassionate person who loved God and loved the worship of God. He wrote psalms and could play skillfully on the harp. Even King Saul loved to hear David play. Because of jealousy though Saul grew to hate and fear David. He pursued David many times and the Lord would deliver him into the hand of David. Yet faithful David would not lift up a sword against the anointed of the Lord. He knew that God was going to replace Saul with himself but he would not lift a finger to make it happen. He trusted God to bring it to pass when the time was right. Even though Saul was cruel and sought David's life, David loved Saul and Saul's family.

Psalm 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

David felt like all had forsaken and despised him and his only hope was in the Lord to deliver him and bring him out of this prison of despair.

We as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will feel that way at times whether it is because of a time of testing and trial or because we messed up ourselves and troubles come about because of our own mistakes. Yet if we are faithful and call upon God, He can give us direction and show us the way out.

When someone hurts us, the flesh wants to lash out in attack, get even and get back at them. Yet we must choose as David did and not lift up our hand against those that persecute us. I'm not speaking here of armies defending their homeland. King David fought in many battles so it's not wrong to defend your family and nation against the enemies that are out to destroy innocent lives. We have to have law and order.

On a personal level though, we are not to desire revenge on those who are out to destroy us like in the case of Saul and David. David recognized that Saul was once anointed of God to be king over Israel. David knew that it was not his place to remove Saul but only God's place. Also David loved Saul. He use to sing for him and sooth his troubled soul with music.

In the case of Stephen in the New Testament. Stephen asked God to forgive those that were stoning them. If a thief breaks in our house and starts to harm one of our family members, yes we fight back but if people are persecuting us for the gospel's sake, we leave the vengeance up to God and pray for our enemies to be saved.

If one is a policeman, he has to use his weapons to keep law and order or else society will have no peace and those that do evil will prevail. We must have government and laws. So I don't believe the bible teaches us to sit and let other nations come and take over.

When it comes to other things pertaining to family, neighbors, friends and preaching the gospel we are walk in love.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Notice that the teachings of scripture must be weighed and balanced. We can't take this teaching to the point of not having law and order or defending our nation. On a personal level or concerning a body of believers we must pray rather than harm, forgive rather than seek vengeance.

Deuteronomy 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Deuteronomy 32:43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.

In the case of David there was a time to fight and a time to trust God to bring out that which is right.

If we need wisdom and guidance, God will show us the way. We do not have to walk in hate and vengeance but in love. Glory to God for His ways are good and will bring blessing to all who trust in them. -DC

Psalm 143

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