#DailyDevotion Praying When We Face Unjust Persecution
Psalm 140 Rescue me, O LORD, from wicked men; protect me from criminals, 2who in their hearts plan evil and always stir up fighting. 3They make their tongues sharp like a snake’s, their lips hide a viper’s poison.
This is a psalm of David. I do not know if this is from his pre-becoming king or post Bathsheba when he incurs the curse of the LORD in which one, it could Saul and his allies or two Absalom and his allies. In either case they are after David and seek his ruin. One of the ways to seek his ruin is through false rumors and a general breaking of the eighth commandment. Certainly, we at times may have such enemies that spread falsehood against us because they are afraid of our influence or who may just hype up our few failings as if that is all we have.
Jesus truly knows what this is like as we read the Gospels and the opposition by the Pharisees, Scribes and Priests. They told lies about Him. They twisted His words. They sought false witnesses against Him in the Sanhedrin in order to put Him to death because He threatened their power because they refused to submit to His teaching and believe Him.
4Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from criminals who plan to trip me. 5Arrogant men have hidden a snare for me, and spread a net with ropes, and set traps for me along the path.
David petitions the LORD for his protection against these evil men. Jesus also prayed to the Father to rescue Him from the evil men of His day. David was saved from them while he lived though the LORD did bring him deep into the depths to the point where he had to flee for a while. The Father would take Jesus to the grave before rescuing Him from the hands of His enemies at His resurrection. When we face opposition from those who oppose us without cause (and that is really important here) we too should ask the LORD, our Father for His protection. Unless our suffering from them is purifying our faith or promoting the Gospel of Jesus, I believe He will indeed do it. We should always remember we are following Jesus to the cross with our own cross and burdens. That is our life—participating in the sufferings of Christ.
6I say to the LORD, “You are my God; O LORD, hear me pleading for mercy.” 7O Lord GOD, the mighty One Who saves me, cover my head in battle. 8O LORD, don’t let the wicked have what they want or succeed with their plans.
David is petitioning more of the same in these verses. He is basing his prayer here on the mercy and goodness of God, that He would not want evil to prevail. It is a good base to pray from.
9Those who surround me raise their heads — may the mischief they talk about overwhelm them. 10May burning coals be thrown on them; may they be thrown into watery pits, never to rise again. 11May the slanderer not stand in the land, and disaster pursue the criminal, blow after blow.
David ultimately overcame his enemies with the help of the LORD. Those who opposed Jesus and did not repent most likely, they and their families died at the hands of the Romans. Those who oppose us and seek our harm because of our faith in Christ will see the Lake of Fire.
12I know the LORD will uphold the case of the poor and the rights of those who suffer. 13Yes, the righteous will praise Your name, and those who are honest will live before You.
We know ultimately, the LORD will deliver us. In this we put our hope.
Merciful God and Father, have mercy on us and deliver us from wicked men who seek our harm without cause, strengthen us in faith until You act. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.