PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 109
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“While they curse, may you bless.” (Psalm 109:28)
David has been cruelly treated, betrayed, hurt… by a friend.
I can sympathize with David, I can see myself praying the same way.
He pleads for God’s blessing for himself to overrule their cursing.
But he also prays for God’s curse to rest on them.
Jesus was cruelly treated, betrayed, hurt… by a friend (Luke 22:48)
But Jesus does not curse people back, he blesses them (Luke 23:34)
Though God inspires David to be honest about it, to express his heart to God…
Cursing is not the way to overcome evil.
It is not enough to rehearse the curse, we need to reverse the curse!
When we curse back, we become like them; when we bless back, we become like God.
Our world today is filled with anger and cursing, and it is only magnifying.
God sends Jesus into the world to break the cycle; he sends us for this too!
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14)
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
PRAYER
Lord, I can get angry at extremists and conspiracists. Help me to love them like you do, to pray for their conversion, and to desire their release from anger, violence and cruelty.
It is very frustrating when the good that I try to do is spurned – is rejected and treated as nothing. In helping people we have an expectation that they might appreciate and be thankful – and not as if ‘we’ owed it to them – that it is their right to expect from us. It hurts our feelings – like the Psalmist – but prevent us Lord from wanting bad things to happen to people who spurn us, who reject our aid and trample it – that is so easy to do. That is not how you treat us especially when I consider how you treated the Israelites – how time and time again you relented. And you Lord Jesus were condemned and rejected by the people you came to save. Yet through your submission you saved us. You are our saviour – you save us from evil and evil one who would condemn us: “to save their lives from those who would condemn them”. Thank you Lord Jesus!
How do I react to those who hate me? Those who dislike me? Those who are in opposition to what I believe?
I need to stand on the promises of God showing His love to all just as He did. All need to see the love of Christ in me in my daily actions. And I can only do that if I take all things to God in prayer. I need to daily walk in His Word putting my hand in His large hand as He continues to lead me and guide me in the way I need to go being a blessing as He has blessed me. Guide me Lord.
Lead me oh lord, won’t you lead me
I am tired and I need thy strength and power
To guide me over my darkest hour
For just open my eyes that I may see
Lead me oh lord, won’t you lead me
Lead me, guide me along the way
For if you lead me I cannot stray
Or just open my eyes that I may see
Lead me oh lord, won’t you lead me
I am lost if you take your hand from me
I am blind without thy light to see
Lord just always let me thy servant be
Lead me oh lord, won’t you lead me
Lead me, guide me along the way
For if you lead me I cannot stray
Lord just open my eyes that I may see
Lead me oh lord, won’t you lead me