RPG Adults
GOD’S WORD ANSWERS THE REPROACH
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23
Psalm 119:41-42
Psalm 3:1-3
“But thou, O LORD,
art a shield for me; my glory,
and the lifter up of mine head.”
GOD’S WORD ANSWERS THE REPROACH
As reproach and shame come from men who reject God, believers of the Lord Jesus Christ are not immune from their reproaches. Satan uses these people to jeopardise the witness of Christians. False accusations and gossip are manufactured to defame the saints and to dampen their spirits in the work for the Lord. It is such a pathetic state that even in Christian churches there are members, even leaders, who allow themselves to be used for the cause of the enemy. How the psalmist responds to the reproaches will be helpful for believers today.
Let Thy mercies come: He beseeches God for His mercies to be brought to him. Not just droplets, but showers of His pity upon him. Mercy will not come from the enemies. They rather pursue him until he is cast to the ground. Even when the saint falls because of the distressing attacks, the workers of iniquity will unleash further their evil deeds to get rid of him. Only in the LORD can he get the good and kind favour that he needs. What a merciful LORD is the God of the psalmist, He always hears the cries of His people and does not fail them in their dire situations.
Let Thy salvation come: The believer does not need a second dose of salvation. He seeks deliverance from the LORD. No power can take him out of such a tragic situation. Only the LORD is his shield and his refuge. The only source of deliverance is the sovereign and almighty God whose power is far above the source of strength of the enemies. He trusts in the LORD for He can set him free from oppression.
Seek mercy and salvation from the LORD. His help is enough and though these may be delayed in our calculations, always bear in mind that His timing is perfect. Hateful and angry answers will do nothing to turn the situation around. But the LORD’s pity and deliverance are perfect responses to the schemes of the devil upon God’s children.
Dear reader, do not take revenge. Let God do it for you.
THOUGHT: Do I trust fully in the Word of the Lord?
PRAYER: Father, help me to remember that in times of persecution, I must rather go to Thee for mercy and salvation than do otherwise.