Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 2-256 Sunday 29 Dec 2002

Reading: Psalm 140 – VIOLENCE THWARTED

‘When life becomes fragile … you discover that love is stronger than hate … the human spirit too resilient to be intimidated.'(Jonathan Sacks)

So soon after we have celebrated the events surrounding our Saviour’s birth, we meet the malicious intrigue surrounding the events of his early up-bringing; the threats of Herod and the subsequent dreadful massacres of the innocents(Matt 2:16-18) greeted Jesus on that stormy scene. Only God’s Messiah, the Prince of Peace, could have coped!

Neither was David, God’s chosen man for leadership and kingship, immune from attacks characterised by violence and vitriol (vs 1-5). These were heartless men, bent on seeing the false triumph of their evil schemes. Note the cry of his prayer (vs 1,4,6) that God would deliver him from the subtle tactics of his enemies whose thoughts, intentions and actions seem targeted on his future existence. The pressure on him would have been intense. In such circumstances threats to his life might have led to a variety of destructive emotions: a spirit of revenge, panic attacks, clouded judgement, deep self-pity, flight at all costs.

Stresses and pressures may confront us in our complex patterns of living but scarcely on the scale of this psalm. David faces the potential for great harm: loss of friends and even threats to his life. What then of his faith in the God of whom he had sung and to whom he prays (vs 6,7)?

How does our faith stand up to lesser tests? What is our reaction to such travesties of human behaviour today? Do we react in an essentially selfish and introverted way when facing modern sophisticated foes? Sense David’s heart (v 12). Learn to turn personal pressure into concern and compassion for the needy. A good test of our discipleship!

‘[Lord, help me] to discern between the trials of normal living under the cross and the injustices of an evil world that demand correction’ (Richard Foster, Prayer, Hodder & Stoughton)

– David Blair

Copyright Scripture Union, 2002

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