Today’s Reading: Psalm 83, 110 & 120
I took my troubles to the Lord;
I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.
Rescue me, O Lord, from liars
and from all deceitful people.
O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you?
How will he increase your punishment?
You will be pierced with sharp arrows
and burned with glowing coals.
How I suffer in far-off Meshech.
It pains me to live in distant Kedar.
I am tired of living
among people who hate peace.
I search for peace;
but when I speak of peace, they want war! – Psalm 120:1-7
THIS WORLD WE LIVE IN CAN LEAVE US WEARY AND EXHAUSTED.
It seems like the truth is no longer desired by our culture, and we are surrounded by lies — in the news, politics, social media, education, and in the workplace. Lines are blurred and confusion is the special for the day as someone else’s truth gets more credence than God’s truth. To be surrounded by those who wound us with their words and challenge our integrity can leave us crying out to God and longing for peace.
O God, do not be silent!
Do not be deaf.
Do not be quiet, O God.
Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies?
Don’t you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up?
They devise crafty schemes against your people;
they conspire against your precious ones.
“Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation.
We will destroy the very memory of its existence.” – Psalm 83:1-4
Would you agree that the culture we live in today is quickly destroying the cultural expectations of yesterday? The truth has been watered down and justice is quickly disappearing. Beautiful cities have become unsafe as thieves are allowed to take what they want and protestors are given space to vandalize anything in their path, all for political gain. The Church is spoken of with contempt, and God’s people are accused of promoting agendas that take away the freedom of those who shake their fist in the face of God.
WHY ARE WE SURPRISED WHEN OTHERS PERSECUTE US, LIE ABOUT US, OR FALSELY ACCUSE US?
Jesus warned his disciples that they would be mistreated. He told us we would be blessed when people make fun of us or lie about us or say awful things about us. His advice for us was to be happy, for great is our reward in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12). When times get tough, we are encouraged by the words of King David and the words of the apostles.
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?”
So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. – 1 Peter 4:12-19
KEEP ON DOING WHAT IS RIGHT AND TRUST IN GOD.
Lord, thank you for the encouragement we daily receive from your scriptures. Thank you for the reminder that it is a privilege to be called a Christ follower. Though this world will disappoint us, you will never fail us; though others may accuse us, you are the only One who has the right to judge us. We pray for courage to stand strong in the midst of adversity, and we pray for your Spirit to guide us each day so that we represent you well. Give us the words to say and the heart to love, even in these dark days.
The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.” – Psalm 110:1