SOAP 10/17/2015; Psalm 64:2-4

Today's reading: Job 1, 2; Acts 6, 7*

S) "² Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers,
From the tumult of those who do iniquity,
³ Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword.
They aimed bitter speech as their arrow,
⁴ To shoot from concealment at the blameless;
Suddenly they shoot at him, and do not fear."

Psalm 64:2-4 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 64

O) David had many, very real enemies. He had military enemies and physical warfare. He also had political enemies, both within and without his own kingdom. All the while, his practice was to voice his concerns directly to God, through song. He understood that no one was going to help him more than God would. In this passage, it seems he is referring to those political opponents who were attacking him with words (possibly things like false accusations). Normally, to speak against a king would carry a swift and severe punishment, but apparently David did not execute such commands. Whether he refused, or was unable, I do not know. Whatever the reason, it is clear that his opponents did not fear voicing their cutting remarks.

A) There was a time and place, that speaking against Christ and the church, carried a very swift and severe punishment. That pendulum swung too far, in many ways, as Christians persecuted and even killed people, wrongly in the name of Christ. Sometimes, I think it is partly because of that bloody history, that the culture today seems so vehemently against Christianity. So now, while I am not in a similar position to David, I am seeing a similar opponent. As a Christian, I expect oppositions. The world will hate me because they hate Christ. They will have cutting words against blameless behavior, and shoot at me without fear. In all of that possible tumult, I will react like David. I will remember that only God can save from such a foe, but He is indeed mighty to save! I have no fear, because just as Christ said, He has overcome the world. I will pray, maybe not always with the poetry of David's words, but I will pray that God will deliver me from such evildoers. Even if I am not delivered in this world, I will be delivered in the next.

P) Father, You are righteous and holy. You are my Savior, and there is no other to deliver me. Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, from the tumult of those who do iniquity, who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrow, to shoot from concealment at the blameless; suddenly they shoot at me, and do not fear. But You are a righteous judge. You are a mighty fortress. In You, I will dwell safely, until I am brought into Your glory for eternity. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.