Prayer
O Lord God, be our shield and defender. Protect us from the snares of evil men who seek to destroy those who profess the name of Christ. Watch over us, defend us, strengthen us and save us. Grant us Your Gospel grace that will fill our hearts with love for those who persecute us, cause us to do good to them and pray for them to the glory of Jesus. Amen.
Today’s Hymn
O THE DEEP, DEEP LOVE OF JESUS (Click here for tune.)
Words: S. Trevor Francis, 1875.
Music: Ebenezer, Thomas J. Williams, in Llaw lyfr Moliant, 1890
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!
Thought Provoker
When I was a child, whenever someone called me a name I would respond with the well-known rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” However, as a Christian adult I have since learned that this is not true. Those who truly love Christ and strive to live a life of holiness to the glory of God know that their reputation is important, as it reflects on Christ. As Christians we are called to live in such a way that we will be blameless in the sight of men and above reproach. So, when we are falsely accused by wicked men it hurts. It is especially unjust since we are accused of doing things we would never dream of doing, by the very people who do them in secret. What is even worse is when the mischief of the wicked goes beyond words to evil schemes and devices meant to bring us harm, be it physical, spiritual, or harm to reputation, employment, etc. David experienced such persecution and authored many Psalms that reflect his experiences and God’s truth about how we are to stand in such times of trial.
Dad’s Study
It is believed that Psalm 140 was written at the time Saul was pursuing David in the wilderness, most likely when Doeg the Edomite was slandering David and stirring the people up against him (1 Samuel 22-24). David’s persecution included the poison of slander that was designed to set people against him for no reason and the laying out of traps and snares meant to trip him up. In David’s case the ultimate goal of his enemies was David’s literal physical destruction. He was indeed in dire straits.
David’s response was to turn to the Lord, beseech Him to hear his supplications, cry out to Him as the One who has delivered him from past calamities, and seek His continued protection in covering him and thwarting his enemies. Notice that David asks for a deliverance that is passive in one sense, yet active in another. It is passive in the sense that he asks God to cover his head and protect him from the enemy’s assaults. He seeks God to be at his side, constant and ready to come to his aid when needed. But he also asks God to actively intervene by spoiling the schemes and devices of his enemies. In fact, he asks that God do to his enemies the opposite of what God does for him. David asked for God to cover his head in battle and protect him from their assaults, yet he asks God to have their mischief come down upon their own head and that they fall into the pits and traps they dug for him. This prayer is not vindictive, as evidenced by David never lifting his hand against God’s anointed. Although he prayed prayers of imprecation, he never attempted to take vengeance himself, leaving that to the Lord. This prayer is just; he is praying consistent with God’s revealed Word that He will judge the wicked by causing their evil schemes to come down on their own heads (Job 18:7,8; Psalm 9:15; Proverbs 28:10; Ecclesiastes 10:8).
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Truth in Practice
Family Worship
The question has arisen, should we pray in such ways? After all, we are to love our enemies and do good to them. “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you” (Luke 6:27). It is righteous and lawful for us to pray that God would judge our enemies, but understand that He may choose to judge them as righteous in Christ by bringing them to repentance for their sin and saving them by His Gospel grace. This should be the first prayer of our heart. God may also choose to judge our enemies by bringing down his recompense upon their heads for their sin. Both will glorify God. However, we know that divine mercy brings more glory to our Lord. Bless your enemies by praying for their salvation. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Mat 5:44).
Catechism Question : 9
Q. What is the work of creation?
A. The work of creation is God’s making all things (Gen. 1:1) of nothing, by the Word of his power (Heb. 11:3), in six normal consecutive days (Ex. 20:11), and all very good (Gen. 1:31).
