Corona Devo 621

Have hurt?  Been betrayed?  Found out that you've been fooled?

God knows.  He knows our side of the story and He knows theirs...and He will take care of it.

The Lord empathizes.  The Lord comforts.  And today His Word scripts a prayer from David (Psalm 109) that will bless our heart if we've been hurt.  

David gives vent to our pain, to our being let-down again, and to our mistreatment by others. Psalm 109 narrates our anger and our injuries from others. Feelings are real. And a desire for vengeance is real, but David's prayer is a perfect example of how the Lord wants us to handle revenge: He doesn't.

It's natural to feel "wronged", and it's human nature to "want to get even", but (God says) vengeance is not ours: Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19).

And David "leaves room" for God to "repay" his enemies but he also gives a few heartfelt recommendations as he vents to the Lord through prayer.  And God welcomes us to be honest with Him and do that too.  

Have hurt?  Been betrayed?  Found out that you've been fooled?

God knows.  He knows our side of the story and He knows theirs...and He will take care of it.  And He is wide-open to having His children share their version of the story with Him:

Psalm 109

(1) O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent (2) while the wicked slander me and tell lies about me.

(3) They surround me with hateful words and fight against me for no reason.

(4) I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them!

(5) They repay evil for good, and hatred for my love…. 

(7) When his case comes up for judgment, let him be pronounced guilty. Count his prayers as sins.

(8) Let his years be few; let someone else take his position.

(11 ) May creditors seize his entire estate, and strangers take all he has earned.

(12) Let no one be kind to him...

(14) May the Lord never forget the sins of his fathers; may his mother’s sins never be erased from the record.

(15) May the Lord always remember these sins...

(16) For he refused all kindness to others; he persecuted the poor and needy, and he hounded the brokenhearted to death.

(17) He loved to curse others; now you curse him.  He never blessed others; now don’t you bless him.

(18) Cursing is as natural to him as his clothing, or the water he drinks, or the rich food he eats.

(19) Now may his curses return and cling to him like clothing; may they be tied around him like a belt.”

(21) But deal well with me, O Sovereign Lord, for the sake of your own reputation!  Rescue me because you are so faithful and good.

(26) Help me, O Lord my God!  Save me because of your unfailing love.

(28) Then let them curse me if they like, but you will bless me!  When they attack me, they will be disgraced!  But I, your servant, will go right on rejoicing!

(30) But I will give repeated thanks to the Lord, praising him to everyone.

(31) For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them. 

~Psalm 109:1-5, 7-8, 11-12, 14-19, 21, 26, 28, 30-31

David gets pretty specific and he's experiencing some heavy hurts. But note his process: He prayed to the Lord (with suggestions!), but David did not take matters into his own hands. He left his matters in the hands of God: knowing, praying and trusting that God knows.  He knows our side of the story and He knows theirs...and He will take care of it.

Today, if we are at the corner of "Blindside" Boulevard and "Let Down Again" Avenue, let Psalm 109 speak to our heart and for our heart. May God's Word help us turn the corner, out of hurt, betrayal, and duplicity and may we head down a one-way street to Him today.

God knows.  He knows our side of the story and He knows theirs...and He will take care of it.  For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them (Psalm 109:31).


Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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