Palm 140

1 O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent,
2 those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long.
3 Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips.
4 O Lord, keep me out of the hands of the wicked. Protect me from those who are violent, for they are plotting against me.
5 The proud have set a trap to catch me; they have stretched out a net; they have placed traps all along the way.
6 I said to the Lord, “You are my God!” Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!
7 O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me, you protected me on the day of battle.
8 Lord, do not let evil people have their way. Do not let their evil schemes succeed,or they will become proud.
9 Let my enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for me.
10 Let burning coals fall down on their heads. Let them be thrown into the fireor into watery pits from which they can’t escape.
11 Don’t let liars prosper here in our land. Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.
12 But I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor.
13 Surely righteous people are praising your name; the godly will live in your presence.

We don't like to think about it, but this is a wicked world...bent on our destruction.
Why else would the world we live in be saturated with opportunities to destroy our own souls? Internet pornography...illegal drugs...alcohol...Madison avenue, selling merchandise that we don't need and don't want.

Many would argue these are not all wicked people who peddle this stuff...they are simply trying to get by. Don't be so forgiving. "Their tongues sting like a snake. The venom of a viper drips from their lips."

What pornographer is concerned that we may fall prey to the addictive nature of his product? He may not know us by name, but he knows the nature of his product and he is hoping we will become victims. The same is true for the neighbor who provides experimental substances to our children. He is not at all concerned that his product may destroy lives filled with potential...as long as he gets what he wants. We've seen it over and over with alcohol abuse.

Trust me...anything that naturally produces a dependence on something other than God is our enemy. The people who offer such things are our enemis, bent on our destruction.
And then...there is our own human heart...that lusts after all this.

David pleads with God... "rescue me!"

Are the barbarians at the gate? Is your live unraveling? The only source of salvation...the only assurance of relief...is God. Rest in His protective grace.

Live boldly out there today...