Corona Devo 3209

Our (faith-filled) nature can at times make us feel bad about being treated badly.  

We sometimes don't want to ask too much from God, even if that means asking for kind (fair!) treatment of ourselves from others.

A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17) but what about when our enemies, or those that are against God...are against us?

What can our prayer be when we are up against violence?  

What is appropriate for us to say to God when people plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long?

Do we just grin-and-bear-it when their tongues sting like a snake and the venom of a viper drips from their lips? 

We are called to be kind, and God's Law is to love, but should patience have an expiration date when the proud have set a trap to catch me?  And when the wicked have stretched out a net, and when they have placed traps all along the way?

Really...what level of honesty is acceptable to our Holy God when we are being pressed and pressured to pieces by evil people?

The Psalmist of Psalm 140 is our stenographer. 
Psalm 140 verbalizes what some of us have walked (are walking!) through, and Psalm 140 clarifies and qualifies our response...and our prayers.

We can have boundaries, and we can pray prayers for our preservation, and against our defamation.

Lord, we plead and pray for Your protection over us and our circumstances today.  Amen.

O Lord, rescue me from evil people.  Protect me from those who are violent, (2) those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long.

(3) Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips. 
(4) O Lord, keep me out of the hands of the wicked.  Protect me from those who are violent, for they are plotting against me. 

(5) The proud have set a trap to catch me; they have stretched out a net; they have placed traps all along the way. (6) I said to the Lord, “You are my God!” 
Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!

(7) O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me, you protected me on the day of battle. (8) Lord, do not let evil people have their way.  Do not let their evil schemes succeed, or they will become proud.  ~Psalm 140:1-8


A cheerful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22), but we can also be honest with God when we are being persecuted and pinned-down by others.  We needn't pussy-foot around our prayers for protection and deliverance, and Psalm 140 brings boldness on the Believer's behalf:

(9) Let my enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for me. 
(10) Let burning coals fall down on their heads.  
Let them be thrown into the fire or into watery pits from which they can’t escape. 
(11) Don’t let liars prosper here in our land.  
Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.  ~Psalm 140:9-11

The Bible doesn't pull any punches, and we can be relieved in knowing that while there is a time for peace and patience and passivity, there can also be just cause for direct connection with God about what (and who) ails us.  

We can ask, and then it is God's call as to what the outcome (for both sides) will be.  But through Psalm 140, our righteous Heavenly Father gives a sneak peek and a breath-of-hope to those of us who suffer at the hands (and words) of others today. 

(12) But I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor. (13) Surely righteous people are praising your name; the godly will live in your presence.  ~Psalm 140:12-13

Whether on a calm shore of peace today, or even if we are being pushed to a cliff-edge by evil people...I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor. (13) Surely righteous people are praising your name; the godly will live in your presence (Psalm 140:12-13).  

~~~

Psalm 140 comforts those being bullied today, and reminds us that we can ask the Lord for protection..  We can acknowledge the evil people in our lives, and we can prayerfully request that the Lord rescue and protect us...and He will.

We can praise His name today and we can live in His presence today

 Surely righteous people are praising your name; the godly will live in your presence.  ~Psalm 140:13

Blessings,

sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com 

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