More Than Your Imagination

Psalm 56:5 (KJV) Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

(Proverbs 8 also read)

David is lamenting the number of his enemies and their enthusiasm in attacking him. We are not kings.  We are not in positions where powerful people attack us with weapons and violence.  This verse reminds us that all of the opposition we face is not of that nature.

When we stand for righteousness people attack us in many non-physical ways.  Here we see that they can attack us for what we say.  Have you spoken openly in praise of Jesus?   Then the sad truth is you can expect someone to react.   Remember that that Greek for witness is our English martyr.   They can become obsessed because you are a constant irritation to what they want to be.

So?   Look at persecution as a verification that you are living the way God wants. 

Hidden Strength

Proverbs 21:22 (KJV) A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

I was sitting thinking about the chaos that we see going on around the world.  In Nigeria and Sudan we have Christians being slaughtered.  In Europe, we have justice being perverted as Muslim rapist are treated softly and their victims are put in jail.  It seems like chaos rules everywhere .

I think this is the time where we need to focus on the wisdom that God has made available to us.  One of the first parts of that wisdom, remember, is the fear of God.  When we have that fear of God, it puts other things into perspective.  It helps us to filter out the noise and exaggerations of our media and seek for truth.

One of the elements of truth that we need to realize is that God constantly watches out for His faithful remnant.  Are there cases where believers are persecuted?  Obviously, yes.  Often, though you need to understand that there are special circumstances.  I remember reading Eusebius’s History of the church and much of the persecution that went on was because overly enthusiastic believers which march into the palace, announced they were believers and dare the governor to do anything about it.

So?  Live in wisdom . It is possible that God is going to allow you to go through some persecution.  Face it with joy and in faith.  It’s much more likely that He will cause the chaos of violence to flow around you like water will flow around a mound. 

The Real Issue

Psalms 59:3 (KJV) For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.

(Proverbs 8 also read)

I doubt if many of us have people surrounding our house and crying for our blood like David seems to feel was happening.  It could happen in this day and age with the political environment the way it is, but it is doubtful.  Most of us aren’t that important.  However, you’ll notice that it says they lay and wait for his soul.

The people and forces that are out to get us are after more than just our assets and our security.  No, the problem goes much deeper.  They are out to destroy that which is at the center of our soul.  They want to remove any allegiance or trust that we have an almighty God.  I would suggest that we will often find people like this in pulpits and in media.  We will find them sounding pious and caring and sensitive.  Their whole goal is to pull us away from the living God, and get us to trust in them or ourselves.

So?  Righteousness has a penalty.  There are those who will be out to get you simply because you are still walking in an upright fashion.  We need to stand firm.  We need to stand for truth.  We need to trust God for our victories.  

The Real Danger

Psalms 71:13 (KJV) Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

(Proverbs 11 also read)

We all encounter roadblocks in life.  Most of them are just the every day difficulties that we have to navigate through.  A traffic jam on the interstate might make it questionable whether you will be on time for work.  I remember one time when I was the treasurer of a church and I just could not find the reason that my books did not balance. I was only two cents off.  It finally came down to an adding error that a clerk had made in the store.  A child throwing up in the middle of the night when you have a big day in the morning can make life difficult.  Lots of roadblocks come our way.  For the most part, we can handle those.

But here it talks about “adversaries” to my “soul”.  This is a different category.  Often these adversaries are very close to us.  They could be an intimate part of our lives.  They could be a spouse, a child, a lifelong friend.  Sometimes they know what they’re doing.  Sometimes it’s just accidental.  The problem is it arrows deep.  It goes for the heart, the soul.  The prayer here is that they would be “confounded”.

So?  Keep your eyes on the prize, as the saying goes.  Keep focused on where God wants you to be.  Call upon him to confuse the enemy and clarify things for you.  He has access to resources you can’t even dream of. 

Songs of Moaning

(Psa 69:12 KJV)  They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

(Proverbs 9 also read)

I have you ever wondered what people are thinking about you?  Have you ever worried that they are talking about you?  The other day I leaned forward and told the lady sitting in front of me in church that her husband needed a loving wife to straighten out his collar.  I could have done it, but I felt like he might take it a little better from her.  After all, that’s her job not mine.  One of my concerns was that people might notice.  A greater concern is that he might realize it leaving the service and feel embarrassed.  Such a feeling would be unnecessary, because people would understand how that happens.

On the other hand, when we take a stand in public for God, we tend to get harassed and lambasted.  Hopefully it’s just a verbal not physical.  I liked what the LSB had to say in translating this verse.

    Psalms 69:12 (LSB) Those who dwell at the gate moan about me, And I am the drunkards’ songs.

Picture people moaning in the gates.  I like that.  I would love to be the target of the songs of drunks as they went down the street trying to hurt my feelings.  As long as my motives are right, and my behavior reflects the righteousness of my God, I say, let them moan.

So?  Rejoice when you are persecuted for his sake.  It means that you are living as Jesus wants you to live.  And I think that verse also says, “and great will be your reward in heaven”. 

Rewards

Exodus 5:6-8 (KJV) 6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, 7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish [ought] thereof: for they [be] idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go [and] sacrifice to our God.

All is not always sunshine and roses. Serving the Lord does not always have a happy middle, even though we are assured of a happy ending.  Take this case of Pharaoh and Moses.

Have you been hearing about the happy endings that are supposed to be coming your way?  I have news for you.  It may not work out the way you think or at least on the schedule you have planned.  While it is true we have read the book and know who wins, God does not usually have the same sense of timing that we have.

Here Moses is working on getting Israel out of Egypt.  God says He will bring it to pass.  He also tells them there will be a lot of bumps in the road.  They don’t hear Him, probably because they don’t want to hear Him.  I find myself in that situation at times.

So?  Eternity will be wonderful but the government that seems determined to punish people of faith will keep getting in the way.  Get ready to gather your own straw, whatever that means in your world.

Target Practice

(Psa 11:2 KJV)  For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

(Proverbs 29 also read)

Again I remind you, “Yes, they are out to get you.”  David may have been in a low mood.  He may have been clinically depressed.  He is not exaggerating.  There is something about the righteous that brings out the desire to destroy in the “wicked” (7563).  It isn’t even something you have done.  It is what you are.  Think about a bunch of boys walking past a deserted house that still doesn’t have all the windows broken out.  There is just something about it.

We are in difficult times but even if we were not this would still be true.  One of the hard parts of this truth is that these people may be a part of your family or church.  Notice they are working in “darkness” (652).

So?  Know they are out there.  Know that God is watching over you.  That does not mean you go down dark alleys or leave your doors unlocked.  It means you can sleep better and expect the final chapter to have a happy ending, at least for you. 

Avoiding “Gotcha”

(Psa 142:3 KJV)  When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

(Proverbs 18 also read)

I guess this is saying, “Yes, they are out to get you.”  Maybe you have never felt that way but this indicates that there are people who are preparing a “hidden” (2934) “trap” (6431a) and they want you to fall into it.  The context is David feeling like he is boxed in.  The title, which I think is in the text, says it was written while he was hiding in a cave.

I don’t know about you but I have never hidden in a cave.  If I had a cave when my grandchildren were visiting I might find a reason to hide in it, but no such luck.  There is a lesson for us in this though.  Our lives are full of quiet little traps that are designed to drag us down.  Some are the active work of Satan.  Others are just the way life is.

How do we avoid them?  Two thoughts came to mind.  First, stick to the well traveled paths.  If you are on the sidewalk you will probably not find too many pits to fall into.  If you are forced to go your own way then look for the footprints of those who have gone before you.  They will give you a safe route.

So?  Be aware.  If you are driving the speed limit then the cop behind the tree will have no interest in chasing you.  That may not be true if you have doughnuts. 

Expect the Reject

(Psa 69:9 KJV)  For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

(Proverbs 9 also read)

I have heard the first phrase of this verse quoted often.  Today as I read through the Psalm and the context it hit me as a part of a longer passage.  This is not an isolated statement about how much David loved the temple.  First off, the temple had not been built.  Worship was still in a tent.  Secondly, he is complaining.

If you read the context he is pointing out that he has been rejected because He is faithful to God.  It not only comes from society as a whole but also from his family.  You might consider this a bit of prophecy leading to what Jesus had to say.

(Mat 10:21 KJV)  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
(Mat 10:22 KJV)  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

And in John 2:17 there is a direct quote.

So?  If you get serious and enthused about following the Lord you can expect opposition.  The tragic part is when it comes from your family.  Even worse from those who also claim to be serious believers.  Endure and believe. 

Context and Conditions

(Psa 7:10 KJV)  My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.

(Proverbs 28 also read)

This is a clear promise of God but notice the context and conditions.

The context is one of persecution.  David is going through a rough time.  Enemies are after him.  He does not seem to be sure of victory.  He is calling on God, always a good thing to do.  He is looking at God to preserve him in the bad times.  This is not just the praise of the good times but a call for deliverance.

Equally important is the condition expressed.  God “saves” (3467) [yasha].  Notice that the Hebrew is very close to the Jewish name for Jesus, Yeshua, a form of Joshua.  Notice also that this is not a promise to everyone we calls on God.  It is for the “upright” (3477).  

These two points are important to us as we look at an uncertain future politically and socially.  Unrest is more normal that we think.  We have lived in a bubble of well being.  That is largely because of the upright hearts that have been active in this country.  Those times may be over.  The promise extends to those who are faithful.  It seems to me that we will come through the rough times either untouched or unbroken.

So?  Get upright, whatever that means to you at this point.  Repentance?  Discipline?  Personal growth?  You can fill in the blanks.  God will take care of His end. 

Complications of Understanding

(Pro 12:21 KJV)  There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

We need a moment to consider how to read and understand scripture because this is a frustrating verse.  The first step is understanding what the verse actually says which means understanding the vocabulary.  If you don’t have any tools then compare translations to get an insight.  Since I work in the NASB and KJV let me give you the one not shared above,

(Pro 12:21 NAS77) No harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble.

Notice that the NASB says “harm” (205) and the KJV says “evil”.  That should indicate that we are not just talking about stubbing your toe or catching a cold.  This is something with soul destroying potential.  One of the potential problems with a verse like this is to take it as an absolute law and understand it the way you want it to read instead of the way it is meant.  All you need to do is look at the life of David to know that bad things can happen to people that God loves greatly.  Or consider what God allowed Job to go through.  Why should you be better?  

So?  This tells us that whatever befalls us it will not be enough to destroy us.  When you consider all of the Bible this has an eternal sense.  It does not mean there will never be hard times.  We will look at the idea of the “righteous” (6662) or “just” some other time. 

Hoisted on Their Own Petard

(Psa 9:15 KJV)  The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

(Proverbs 21 also read)

I think it is safe to say that the people in positions of power are laughing in God’s face, or they would be if they believed in God.  We see definite attacks on the standards and values of the Bible.  We also see God’s people targeted everywhere we look.  This is from murder in the world of Islam to shutting churches in a town near you.  

We need to understand that all of this will come back to bite them.  I can’t tell you how or when but I assure you God is watching.  He does not think they are cute.  When it comes it may not even look like God moving.  There is a long history of evil people eating their own.

I offer this word not to tickle your funny bone or giving high fives.  We are warned other places not to rejoice in the struggles of our enemies.

So?  Trust and prepare.  Prepare and trust.  Buy extra soup.  Make sure you doors are locked.  Stay out of the wrong part of town.  Make sure you don’t cheat on your taxes.  God will not be mocked. 

Duck and Cover

(Psa 7:1 KJV)  Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

(Proverbs 14 also read)

Have you ever felt like they are out to get you?  Maybe they are.  When people tell you it is just your imagination, it could be them who are confused about the situation.

There will be times when people do not have your best interests at heart.  You may not be in David’s situation with armies breathing down your neck but the threat can be real.  There is a lot of advice in other places but here the focus is on calling on God and trusting Him.

Of course the deliverance may not be in the form you had in mind.  It may not follow your timeline.  God will respond.

So?  Take refuge and live in trust.

Great Lyrics, Different Focus

(Pro 24:16 KJV)  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

As I read this chapter today I was struck by what it is that keeps Christians moving forward.  If our focus is on what goes on around us, on the evil elites that keep pushing their agenda, on the decay of our culture, we would know nothing but doom and gloom.

We don’t wallow in gloom for long.  Sure, it hits us.  We are human with all of our weaknesses and limitations, but our focus is not on the political leaders or the nonsense of our youth.  Our focus is on Almighty God.  That means we allow Him to pick us up, dust us off and try all over again.  I think there is a song with similar lyrics.  The song is based on our efforts.  This verse is based on the power and Grace of God.

So?  Let Him pick you up, dust you off, pat you on the back and send you back into the fray.  The Adventure continues.

Prayer Refuge

(Pro 14:26 KJV)  In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

I am very much aware of the blessings in my life.  When I am focusing on thanksgiving I start with salvation and the willingness of Jesus to empty Himself to take on manhood.  I think of the cross and the written word that tells us about Him.  I eventually get to the material blessings.  And then there is the ability we still have to live and worship in freedom.  I am grateful that I live in the blip of history that allows such without fear of persecution.

I am also aware that forces are moving to take that security away from us.  I think of the times in history when society has been a guessing game of whether you would live to see tomorrow or have the food to feed your family.  I think of Christians who have come through that and how many of them have done so rejoicing.  I hope that when the time comes I can live in this verse.

So?  Job made it through.  I am praying for that kind of trust and also praying that I will never need to exercise it. 

Mocking Trials

(2Ti 3:12 KJV)  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

(Proverbs 17 also read)

This is a verse that can be very scary.  At best it is disturbing.  It seems to be a guarantee that living a serious Christian life will get us “persecuted” (1377).  At times I look at the blessings in my life and it makes me wonder.

What is not stated here is the frequency and severity of the persecution.  We tend to stereotype it into lion food and the Inquisition.  While there is a witness to that I think it is more on the level of being mocked or shunned socially.  The purpose of the persecution from the Devil’s point of view is to drive a wedge between us and God.  If he can do that subtly without us pushing back then he can move us toward hell and tarnish the image of God in the pagan mind.

So?  Don’t go looking for persecution so you can get it out of the way.  Be ready to be mocked or pressured to compromise.  That is much more common.  Spend enough time with the Lord to let it run off like you were a wet duck. 

Alert

(Pro 2:11 KJV)  Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

This is a transition verse.  That is why “discretion” (4209) is so important.  In the previous verses it talks about all the wonderful aspects of wisdom and what it can mean to your life.  The following verses warn about the dangers of ignoring wisdom.  This requires discretion.

We need to be reminded that the world is out to get us.  They can be subtle and slow or blatant and sudden.  They are masters of the many paths to Hell and they want to take you with them.  I think there are some people who are heavenly minded naturally in spite of their sinful nature.  They seem to respond readily to the gospel.  There are others who seem to have a built in antagonism to the things of God.  This latter group preys upon those in between.  

So?  Beware.  Unless you are in the devil’s camp then he and his minions are out to get you.  The good news is that God has given us ample resources to prepare for the attack.  Use them. 

A Bit of Perspective

(Psa 86:7 KJV)  In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

(Proverbs 26 also read)

At the beginning of the Psalm David is lamenting the affliction he is going through.  If you know much about his life you can come up with a multitude of situations where he was in dire straights.  With that in mind I read this verse and had to ask myself, “What kind of ‘trouble’ (6869a) do I really know?”  The answer is “None.”

When I read this verse it reminds me of how blessed my life has been and how much it is now.  Yes, I remember a time when my rent was a month behind, I had no money and only a can of soup between me and hunger.  I remember getting into town with no job, a pregnant wife and only ten dollars to my name, little things like that, but what are those compared to someone living in the midst of Muslims blowing up churches and cutting off heads in Nigeria?

I don’t know the meaning of trouble.

So?  I can rejoice in God’s providential providing.  I can be free to bring my little troubles to Him but I will do so with an awareness of His overall care.  My attitude will be praise not pessimism; faith, not fear. 

A Basic Breakdown

(Pro 29:10 KJV)  The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

As I watch the world around me I see that there is a breakdown of the rule of law.  Part of that is in the streets.  A more important part is in government and the courts.  There was a time when I believed it was enough to obey the law and live an upright life and all would go well.  That is not the case any more.  We see an increasing number of powerful people twisting the system to grind down the average person and gather the benefits to themselves.  They are attacking the “blameless” (8535).  They are the enemies of justice and righteousness.

We already see in some locations that the government is trying to muzzle the voice of the Bible.  Pastors are being threatened if they say certain things which go against current social dogma.  Fines, arrests and other coercions are being applied to the “upright” (8535 KJV).

So?  First, recognize it is happening.  Second, we need to understand that when it comes to it we are going to be persecuted for righteousness sake.  Jesus warned us.  Continue to have faith in God, keep your spirits up and rejoice that you are found worthy. 

Stir Well

(Pro 10:12 KJV)  Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

A few day ago I wrote about how God hates evil.  Here we seem to have another side of “hatred” (8153) and it got my mind going on a tangent.  Before I go down that road I realize that the point of this verse is to tell us we should love not hate.  But I started thinking, if we take seriously the thought of Proverbs 8:13 then when we speak up for righteousness people will understand that God does not approve of what is going on in their life and it will stir up “strife” (4090).  It won’t be our hatred but the reaction of the unrighteous.

So?  Prepare yourself.  We are called to be salt and light.  We are surrounded by people who have a creed of “me first” and will not respond well to the call of repentance, let along a call to righteousness.