June 7, 2011
Psalm 140 is such an incredible chapter. It is written with such passion and clarity.
In Psalm 140:1–5 - David describes and defines the situation. People are after him and they will stop at nothing in order to get him. They are scheming, strategizing, and making plans against him. Their intent is to cause trouble. Their words are harsh, vicious, accusatory, and poisonous. David calls out to the LORD to rescue him and protect him. David then goes on to describe how his enemies were planning ways to trip him up. These people were proud and were purposely hiding traps for him, secretly spreading out the cords of their nets along the path they knew he would take. Conniving, manipulating, trickery, "fluid," plotting. David is saying: God—here is the situation. This is what is happening. LORD—rescue me and protect me. LORD—guard me, keep me and protect me.
Then David shifts his attention away from what is happening to him and points his attention towards his Protector, Defender and Savior. I said to the LORD, "You are my God." There may be trouble surrounding me and the situation may seem impossible, BUT you are my God, and with God NOTHING is impossible. LORD, listen to my cry for help. I am coming to you LORD. I'm not trying to "fix" this myself, I'm coming to you. O Sovereign LORD, mighty Savior, my Deliverer, you are the One who protects me in battle. You who literally shields my head, DO NOT give the wicked what they want. DO NOT let their plans succeed. LORD, hold them accountable. If they get by with their trickery, plotting, scheming, strategizing, lies, threats, and their reliance on "self" then they will become even more proud—and nothing will stop them.
David totally got it. The battle was not about him and the victory wasn't up to him. God is our Savior, Defender, Protector, Avenger. Our hands need to be off. The battle is His. The victory is His.
After David clearly laid out the circumstances and clearly acknowledged God as his defender and Savior, then he goes to God with his requests. He wants those who are after him held accountable. Let the trouble they planned for me happen to them. Let burning coals fall on them, both conviction and consequences. May they be in the fire. May they be in miry pits that they can't lie, cheat, steal, or strategize their way out of. Don't let the slanderers and liars become established in the land and, may disaster hunt them down. Strong, strong words, but not actions David is planning himself. David is not seeking revenge, he is asking God to avenge. To hold those accountable who have attacked him out of their greed and evil desires. David understands this truth: the only way that type of person will ever understand is when a higher power (God) holds them accountable for their past and present actions. It is the only way. When they finally come face to face with the fact that God knows (Psalm139) and they realize there are indeed IF—THEN consequences in God's Word, then (and only then) is there a chance for their salvation.
And now... the most important words in the whole Psalm.
God is God
God is our Defender
God is Sovereign
God is the one who protects, delivers, preserves
God is the one who keeps, guards, provides
God KNOWS
God knows our hearts
God knows the hearts and motives of our attackers
He knows the lies
He knows all about the traps
He knows about the trickery
He knows their schemes
He knows that we go to HIM for our help
He knows He is our God
God listens to our cries and prayers for help
God knows we acknowledge Him
God knows our hands are off
God knows we have surrendered our pride and fears
He knows we have surrendered our all to Him
God is our avenger
God is our peace
God is in control
This is God's battle
God will defend us
God will secure justice
God's people will praise Him
I KNOW—that God KNOWS—and that is enough. It is more than enough. I know—that I know— that I know. I don't know the details, and I don't need to. I just plain know. We told our friends and others from early on that we feel this is over. God has already decided. As we look back over these four and one half years we can clearly see the Hand of God at work. Things that man's hand could not accomplish. We have been blessed beyond measure. We have peace, joy, contentment, rest, and happiness, even in the midst of the battle.
God said it → I believe it → that is all that faith demands.
Hebrews 11:1 - "Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it." (NCV) "Now faith is the substance (Jane has a note that says "assurance") of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (KJV) "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (NIV)
I KNOW! I am certain. I am sure. All I know—is that I KNOW!
Addendum: 3/23/15 - And until that time, "Surely the righteous will praise HIS name and the upright will live before HIM." (Her Name Was Jane)
Next Entry: Psalm 140:1 – 144:15 (Continued)
Psalm 140 is such an incredible chapter. It is written with such passion and clarity.
In Psalm 140:1–5 - David describes and defines the situation. People are after him and they will stop at nothing in order to get him. They are scheming, strategizing, and making plans against him. Their intent is to cause trouble. Their words are harsh, vicious, accusatory, and poisonous. David calls out to the LORD to rescue him and protect him. David then goes on to describe how his enemies were planning ways to trip him up. These people were proud and were purposely hiding traps for him, secretly spreading out the cords of their nets along the path they knew he would take. Conniving, manipulating, trickery, "fluid," plotting. David is saying: God—here is the situation. This is what is happening. LORD—rescue me and protect me. LORD—guard me, keep me and protect me.
Then David shifts his attention away from what is happening to him and points his attention towards his Protector, Defender and Savior. I said to the LORD, "You are my God." There may be trouble surrounding me and the situation may seem impossible, BUT you are my God, and with God NOTHING is impossible. LORD, listen to my cry for help. I am coming to you LORD. I'm not trying to "fix" this myself, I'm coming to you. O Sovereign LORD, mighty Savior, my Deliverer, you are the One who protects me in battle. You who literally shields my head, DO NOT give the wicked what they want. DO NOT let their plans succeed. LORD, hold them accountable. If they get by with their trickery, plotting, scheming, strategizing, lies, threats, and their reliance on "self" then they will become even more proud—and nothing will stop them.
David totally got it. The battle was not about him and the victory wasn't up to him. God is our Savior, Defender, Protector, Avenger. Our hands need to be off. The battle is His. The victory is His.
After David clearly laid out the circumstances and clearly acknowledged God as his defender and Savior, then he goes to God with his requests. He wants those who are after him held accountable. Let the trouble they planned for me happen to them. Let burning coals fall on them, both conviction and consequences. May they be in the fire. May they be in miry pits that they can't lie, cheat, steal, or strategize their way out of. Don't let the slanderers and liars become established in the land and, may disaster hunt them down. Strong, strong words, but not actions David is planning himself. David is not seeking revenge, he is asking God to avenge. To hold those accountable who have attacked him out of their greed and evil desires. David understands this truth: the only way that type of person will ever understand is when a higher power (God) holds them accountable for their past and present actions. It is the only way. When they finally come face to face with the fact that God knows (Psalm139) and they realize there are indeed IF—THEN consequences in God's Word, then (and only then) is there a chance for their salvation.
And now... the most important words in the whole Psalm.
I KNOW!
I know that:
God is our Defender
God is Sovereign
God is the one who protects, delivers, preserves
God is the one who keeps, guards, provides
God KNOWS
God knows our hearts
God knows the hearts and motives of our attackers
He knows the lies
He knows all about the traps
He knows about the trickery
He knows their schemes
He knows that we go to HIM for our help
He knows He is our God
God listens to our cries and prayers for help
God knows we acknowledge Him
God knows our hands are off
God knows we have surrendered our pride and fears
He knows we have surrendered our all to Him
God is our avenger
God is our peace
God is in control
This is God's battle
God will defend us
God will secure justice
God's people will praise Him
I KNOW—that God KNOWS—and that is enough. It is more than enough. I know—that I know— that I know. I don't know the details, and I don't need to. I just plain know. We told our friends and others from early on that we feel this is over. God has already decided. As we look back over these four and one half years we can clearly see the Hand of God at work. Things that man's hand could not accomplish. We have been blessed beyond measure. We have peace, joy, contentment, rest, and happiness, even in the midst of the battle.
God said it → I believe it → that is all that faith demands.
Hebrews 11:1 - "Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it." (NCV) "Now faith is the substance (Jane has a note that says "assurance") of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (KJV) "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (NIV)
I KNOW! I am certain. I am sure. All I know—is that I KNOW!
Addendum: 3/23/15 - And until that time, "Surely the righteous will praise HIS name and the upright will live before HIM." (Her Name Was Jane)
Next Entry: Psalm 140:1 – 144:15 (Continued)
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