📅 January 18: Psalms 35 - A Cry for Divine Justice and Protection

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January 18: Psalms 35 — A Cry for Divine Justice and Protection

Exploring the Depths of Faith Amid Adversity

Introduction

Our journey on January 18 brings us to the powerful and emotive Psalm 35, a song of David that expresses a deep longing for God’s intervention against adversaries. This Psalm resonates with themes of justice, protection, and unwavering trust in God.

Psalm 35: David’s Plea for Deliverance

In Psalm 35, David implores God to contend with those who contend with him, seeking divine justice and protection against his enemies. This Psalm is a heartfelt prayer for deliverance and vindication.

Key Verse: “Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.” — Psalm 35:1

Key Themes and Reflections:

Seeking Divine Justice: The Psalm reflects a deep trust in God as the ultimate judge and protector, highlighting our reliance on divine justice in times of conflict.

The Struggle with Adversity: David’s plea showcases the emotional turmoil and distress faced when dealing with adversaries, emphasizing the importance of turning to God for strength.

The Power of Prayer: Psalm 35 demonstrates the potency of prayer as a means of seeking God’s help and expressing our deepest fears and desires.

Today’s Application:

Reflect on how you seek God’s justice and protection in your life challenges. Consider how adversity impacts your faith and prayer life. Embrace prayer as a powerful tool for expressing your struggles and seeking God’s intervention.

Hidden Gem:

Did you know? The imprecatory nature of Psalm 35, calling for God’s action against enemies, underscores the complexity of human emotions and the biblical expression of seeking God’s righteous judgment.

Reflective Q&A:

Psalm 35: A Cry for Justice and Protection

Seeking God in Adversity: How can Psalm 35 guide us in turning to God during times of adversity and conflict?

A: This Psalm encourages us to openly express our fears and seek God’s help, reminding us that in times of trouble, our refuge and strength lie in divine intervention and justice.

Balancing Emotions with Faith: How does Psalm 35 reflect the balance between human emotions and steadfast faith?

A: David’s raw emotional pleas combined with his unwavering trust in God’s justice highlight the balance between acknowledging our human feelings and maintaining faith in God’s righteous plans.

Join the Discussion:

How does Psalm 35 impact your understanding of faith amidst adversity? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.

#Psalm35 #DivineJustice #Adversity #Faith #BibleStudy #SpiritualJourney

Continue Your Psalm Journey: Explore the depths of faith and human emotions as we navigate the Psalms, discovering timeless truths and guidance.

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Psalm 35
The positioning of this Psalm appears from the language of v.1, and is taken from 1Sam. 24:15. Having pursued David into the Wilderness of Engedi, Saul finds himself confronted by David who had spared his life when in the cave. David had Saul at his mercy, and his followers were all for slaying their enemies, claiming that Yahweh had put Saul into David’s power. But David refused to touch Yahweh’s Anointed, calling upon the Almighty to vindicate him in due course. Who would permit his bitter enemy to go unscathed under such conditions? Only those such as David and his greater Son. • David reminds the king: “Yahweh therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.” The Psalm describes a righteous man who is pursued unjustly and shows his desperate state. David was beset by the unscrupulous and ungodly enemies who were consumed by bitter hatred. One thing worthy of note is that those who sought his life were at one time his friends (Psa. 41:9), and men for whom he had prayed! • The Psalm expresses a cry for deliverance and concludes with the assurance that it will be performed. • [1] Pleading the cause: vv. 1-10. The Hebrew for “plead” can be rendered as “contend” as in the RSV, but it can also be used as in a court of law. Yahweh becomes David’s great Advocate. The circumstances appear to be those when David had Saul in his power. • [2] Facing the Peril: vv. 11-18. • [3] Pleading for help: vv. 19-26. • [4] Prospect of salvation: vv. 27-28. • The Messianic aspect of this Psalm is reflected in the statement of John 15:20-25, “That the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause” (Psa. 35:19 and 69:4). We may comfort ourselves with the testimony of our consciences concerning our innocency, with reference to those that in any way are injurious to us, and with hopes that God will, in His own way and time, restore us, and, in the meantime, support us (cp. Mat. 5:44-48). We ought to apply it to the public enemies of Christ and his kingdom, typified by David and his kingdom, to resent the indignities done to Christ’s honour, to pray to God to plead the just and injured cause of Truth and Godliness, and to believe that God will, in due time, glorify His great name in the ruin of all the irreconcilable enemies of His people, that will not repent to give Him glory. For this reason the Psalm concludes with the united voices of the faithful ecclesia in the vindication and triumph of the antitypical David, the Beloved, who stands at the head of the redeemed Body of the future. — Logos.