2 No! You plot injustice in your hearts.You spread violence throughout the land.
3 These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way.
4 They spit venom like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen,
5 ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play.
6 Break off their fangs, O God! Smash the jaws of these lions, O Lord!
7 May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands.
8 May they be like snails that dissolve into slime, like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.
9 God will sweep them away, both young and old, faster than a pot heats over burning thorns.
10 The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”
Saul was hunting David...in order to kill him.
One night, as Saul lie sleeping with his army, David crept up stealthily and took Saul's spear. The next morning David displayed the spear to Saul and his men. He shouted down to them..."Is it not now in your power to convince Saul to quit pursuing me? I could have slain him but did not."
Still, Saul's advisers judged David a rebel and encouraged Saul to continue after him...to kill him.
This is the context of David's psalm today. David says "Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly? No! You plot injustice in your hearts." The only way David could comprehend the viciousness of their actions was to accept the notion that they simply were not interested in justice.
I think we see many of our political leaders just as blind to the truth and just as corrupt. They know full well what their constituency has elected them to do and they do otherwise. "They spit venom like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen, ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play."
The truth of the matter then...as it is now...is there are some who will never respond to the truth. No matter how eloquently we state it. No matter how often we repeat is...they simply are not interested. They have shut their ears. It wouldn't be so frustrating if these people did not have the power to influence significant parts of our lives.
And. like Davids' pursuers...they literally have the power of life and death over us.
I'd feel a lot better if they'd listen to me. So...what do we do?
Well, David kept his perspective. He knew God is faithful. In the midst of his anguish he proclaims "God will sweep them away, both young and old, faster than a pot heats over burning thorns. Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for those who live for God.”
There is a lot of injustice out there...and it isn't just politicians. Maybe some of it has influenced your life and you're frustrated...feeling powerless to defend your rights. Lift up your heart and proclaim with David; "surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth."
Live boldly out there today...
Saul was hunting David...in order to kill him.
One night, as Saul lie sleeping with his army, David crept up stealthily and took Saul's spear. The next morning David displayed the spear to Saul and his men. He shouted down to them..."Is it not now in your power to convince Saul to quit pursuing me? I could have slain him but did not."
Still, Saul's advisers judged David a rebel and encouraged Saul to continue after him...to kill him.
This is the context of David's psalm today. David says "Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly? No! You plot injustice in your hearts." The only way David could comprehend the viciousness of their actions was to accept the notion that they simply were not interested in justice.
I think we see many of our political leaders just as blind to the truth and just as corrupt. They know full well what their constituency has elected them to do and they do otherwise. "They spit venom like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen, ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play."
The truth of the matter then...as it is now...is there are some who will never respond to the truth. No matter how eloquently we state it. No matter how often we repeat is...they simply are not interested. They have shut their ears. It wouldn't be so frustrating if these people did not have the power to influence significant parts of our lives.
And. like Davids' pursuers...they literally have the power of life and death over us.
I'd feel a lot better if they'd listen to me. So...what do we do?
Well, David kept his perspective. He knew God is faithful. In the midst of his anguish he proclaims "God will sweep them away, both young and old, faster than a pot heats over burning thorns. Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for those who live for God.”
There is a lot of injustice out there...and it isn't just politicians. Maybe some of it has influenced your life and you're frustrated...feeling powerless to defend your rights. Lift up your heart and proclaim with David; "surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth."
Live boldly out there today...
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