#DailyDevotion The Lord Will Vindicate Our Faith
Psa 43:1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!
Psa 3:1-3 O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; (2) many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” (3) But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head…Psa 3:6-7 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. (7) Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.
This is the introit for this coming Sunday. As we read the antiphon, Psa. 43:1 can you not hear the voice of Jesus as opposition to his rule and reign upon Judea, Israel and the world rise up against him? While he walked among us visibly, the leaders of the Jews, the Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees opposed Jesus and his ministry. Instead of repenting of their sins, they doubled down to seek how they might kill him and get him out of their way. Jesus cries out to his Father to defend his cause against an ungodly people and from the deceitful and unjust men to deliver him. The Father first delivers Jesus into their hands to be put to death but then he raises him from the dead and seats him at his own right hand.
Yes the Jewish leadership were Jesus’ foes. The Gentile rulers were also enlisted in putting Jesus to death. They mocked Jesus on the cross telling him to trust in God to save him if he were the Messiah. They shouted, Mat 27:43 “He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In essence they were saying, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Yet throughout his trial, his suffering and death, our Savior Jesus believed in verse three. The Lord God, his Father in heaven was a shield about him. Their words could not touch him because God was his shield. The Father was Jesus’ glory, a glory he had set aside for his death to make his death for the salvation of the world his glory. Knowing that his innocent suffering and death would save mankind from sin, death and the power of the devil, Jesus’ head was lifted up as he scorned the shame of the cross.
The Lord God arose and saved Jesus from the dead. He glorified Jesus’ body with the glory that was his own before he humbled himself. Seated at the right hand of the Father Jesus awaits the time to return visibly to his Church. On that day all the enemies of Christ, all those who would not repent of their sins and trust in him will be struck down as his enemies are struck on the cheek and teach are broken. Indeed, they are all slain with the rod of his hand and the sword of his mouth. They are all raised from the dead and sent into the Lake of Fire for all eternity.
Now you Christian brother and sister, you who are in Christ, these words of Jesus are now your words. Even as the Jews and the world opposed Jesus and treated him harshly even to the point of death, you too should expect the same. Even as the Father also vindicated Jesus and raised him from the dead to his glory, you too who trust in Jesus will be raised from the dead on the Last Day and be glorified like Jesus. The world and the devil can only cause you temporal grief, suffering and death. Your Lord Jesus can and will give eternal joy and happiness in his presence.
Heavenly Father, as Jesus went through his innocent suffering and death and was raised to glory, grant us such faith in Jesus that we might follow his example and cast ourselves, body, soul and spirit upon your great mercy and kindness. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.