TRUTH

So scripture is so hard to read - it always is convicting. Seems like I can't read it without going "gee, really, uhh."

I was reading Psalm 35 this morning. Talk about convicting. As David writes in the Psalms he so often is asking the Lord to take vengence on his enemies. He is saying things like "May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away; may their path be dark and slippery...and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise..." and it goes on - Yet listen to what David does next ~ "Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother." He is fervantly praying for his enemy. Look what happenes next. "But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;...they slandered me without ceasing...they gnashed their teeth at me."

How many times have we thought about our enemy - that person(s) that have made our life a misery and truly prayed for them? I mean with real sincerity. I want you to notice the conclusion of this Psalm. "May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant."

His prayer is that through him that his enemies will see the Lord. How pitiful we are. We should be praying for those who are against us. Usually our thoughts are to want bad upon our enemies instead of seeking to have an attitude of Christ. David prayed that his enemies would shout for joy and gladness to the Lord. Isn't that so beautiful? That they would be able to look and see how the Lord takes care of him and know this amazing God that we have. We are to be witness for Christ in our life. Too easily Satan creaps in our thoughts and convinces us to hate our enemies (what they did was unforgiveable, you can't forgive them...etc.) Those are lies and don't believe them. Loving your enemy is not easy - that is why David spoke sometimes the he did, but he always came back to the truth. Praising God and praying for them. When we feel the negaive thoughts invading our minds may we recognize where they are coming from and shout truth.

"Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

What voice are you listening to?