In the last two weeks, our country has seen the brutal murder of innocent people on two occasions, in two states – TN and NV. As a country, we are trying to put the pieces together. Who were these men? Why did they do this? It is so very hard for many of us to answer that last question: “Why?” There does not seem to be any reason at all. The folks in TN were finishing their worship to God. The people out in Las Vegas were at a country music concert. Why?
As Christians, especially, we find it very hard to understand why someone would want to kill an innocent person in cold blood. Many people will think that one or both of these men have mental issues. That might be the case. But it is also true that these events remind us that there are people in the world who are just plain wicked. They are evil and they can kill in cold blood just because they can.
But there is a third question that we, as Christians, ask ourselves: “How should we respond to such evil and wickedness? Is it appropriate to feel feelings of hatred or wrath against such wicked men?” That is also a legitimate question. To provide at least part of the answer to that question, we turn to Psalm 109.
Psalm 109 is a fairly long psalm, as psalms go: 31 verses. You will see that Psalm 109 speaks some very harsh words against David’s enemies. This psalm, along with a handful of others (17; 31; 35; 59; 70) are called “imprecatory psalms.” The word “imprecatory” comes from the Latin imprecari which means to “pray to, to invoke” and it carries the idea of speaking a curse. Before we make a moral judgment on David’s thoughts and words, let’s study the psalm…
THE CALL FOR GOD TO SPEAK – verse 1:
REPAID EVIL FOR GOOD – verses 2-5:
What do you and I want to do if we do good and get repaid with evil? Or we get falsely accused, what is our reaction? Don’t we want to say, “Fine! See if I ever do good to you again!” That’s our normal response.
David’s response is to go to God in prayer (vs 4). David’s prayer does not sound like a prayer that we would pray today as Christians, but let’s read it, study it, and meditate on it…
JUSTICE! – verses 6-20:
As we read this text, we see that David’s anger is “red hot!” He is hurt; his emotions are raw and he speaks things that we, as Christians, feel in our hearts sometimes but are afraid to verbalize. David shows us that we might simply need to verbalize them to Jehovah God (like the song says, “take it to the Lord in prayer.)”
THE IMPACT OF THE WICKED ON DAVID – 109:21-25:
Kamagra Oral Jelly has no immediate relaxant impact on confined human corpus cavernosum however improves the impact of it keeps going order cialis click content between 4-6 hours. There is a long gap between declining sexual desire and incidence of erectile dysfunction. levitra no prescription purchase at web-site The insulin is your body hormone that allows your blood sugar level regulated, you can help prevent or delay the development of erectile dysfunction and enjoy a normal, levitra from canada functional sex life. If you are a male, you should http://secretworldchronicle.com/about/author-larry-dixon/ tadalafil tablets 20mg be familiar with these techniques.
THE PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE – 109:26-31:
In contrast to the enemy who curses, David wants blessing from God. In contrast to the shame that awaits those who do evil, there is gladness for those who follow God. The enemy clothed himself in cursing; David says they will be clothed in dishonor (vs 29) and shame.
Vindication is coming.
So, how do we, as Christians, make use of Psalm 109? In the Christian age where we are supposed to love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us, how can we apply the sentiments of Psalm 109?
1. This psalm illustrates that God will judge the wicked (Rom. 12:19). While we pray for the wicked’s repentance and God demands the wicked repent, if they do not, the thoughts portrayed in this psalm are only the tip of the iceberg of what awaits them on the day of judgment.
2. From the example of Christ, we learn that we can have patience with those who do wrong to us (Luke 6:28). So, we pray for both things: justice and forgiveness, which seem to be contradictory but we know…
3. Ultimately, the righteous will be vindicated and the wicked will be destroyed eternally. For the faithful Christian “behind enemy lines,” sometimes the only thing we can do is pray!
4. So, may we pray for God’s justice? We are told not to rejoice when our enemy falls (Prov. 24:17) but may we not pray for justice over our enemy? At the same time praying that he may repent of his sins? How can we walk that fine line? We pray, whatever the “Lord wills” (James 4:15).
When you hurt from the words and behavior of the wicked, lay your hurt before the throne of God in prayer. He knows what to do.
–Paul Holland
