Strengthening Unexpected: Reflections of David

There is little in this world that I love more than scripture. The Word of God has been a refuge for me over the years; it has been my greatest source of comfort and correction. The Bible is full of epic adventures, raw love stories, monumental mistakes and powerful redemption. I have great admiration the book of Psalm because it is familiar, often times in the Reflections of David I see me. One particular psalm I have gone back to repeatedly over the years is the second half of Psalm 143, which reads:

7 Answer me quickly, Lord;

my spirit fails.

Don’t hide Your face from me,

or I will be like those

going down to the Pit.

8 Let me experience

Your faithful love in the morning,

for I trust in You.

Reveal to me the way I should go

because I long for You.

9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;

I come to You for protection.

10 Teach me to do Your will,

for You are my God.

May Your gracious Spirit

lead me on level ground.

11 Because of Your name, Yahweh,

let me live.

In Your righteousness deliver me from trouble,

12 and in Your faithful love destroy my enemies.

Wipe out all those who attack me,

for I am Your servant

I love how dramatic David appears to be, he implores God for a fast response or he will be like those who go to the Pit aka hell, he speaks of his trust in the Lord but begs for protection, he asks for guidance and probably my favorite part that God would destroy his enemies. I love this thought because it gives me permission for boldness in my feelings and my prayers, expressing my desires for restitution while letting Him know that I long for Him to be visibly present in my life.

When you are offended against in an immense way it is natural to desire a repayment for the evil enacted upon you. The key is to remember that God is the one who has the right to judge and bestow judgment. (Romans 12:19) That being said I believe the scriptures are guides to how we should live and if David cried out asking God to, “destroy my enemies” and to “wipe out all those who attack me” that should mean I could do the same.

By no means should one live in the place of desiring vengeance but there is a time and place for just that.

Have you ever been so offended that you longed for vengeance? Have you allowed God to handle it or have you tried to? Have you ever prayed that God would wipe out those who have hurt you? Don’t hide your offense from the One who can actually do something about it, show Him, tell Him what it is you are longing for and then allow Him to take care of the rest.