No hope for any man or any woman except in God!”
–Zane Grey (The Desert of Wheat)
“Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.”
–Romans 12:9 (AMP)
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Last week, in looking at the first part of Psalm 7, David was groaning at being attacked without cause. This enemies want to tear him apart. He prays for the Lord to rise up and help him. Now the second half of this Psalm shows the faithfulness and righteousness of God. Ponder these words; seek to know the truth that is in them and the trust they give up to a holy, righteous God.
To start out remember that Satan is the “father of lies.” Everything he does is involved with lies and deceit. Augustine said that, “Every sin is a lie.”
I spent several years, twenty-eight to be exact, coaching. Every sport has rules to guide the participants, yet often there are those who do not play according to the rules. Players are expected to play fairly, but many people play to break the rules to their advantage and seem to get away with it.
“My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. (10)
God is a righteous judge, and a God who executes justice every day. (11)
In life, attitude is important. Every issue we face is really about eternity. We must face them with an eternal perspective and attitude. Faith then, is vital. Faith proceeds our actions. When God judges He will go straight to the heart. There are no excuses.
“If anyone does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has strung His bow and made it ready. (12)
He has prepared His deadly weapons; He tips His arrows with fire.” (13)
It is hard to understand the anger of God. He gets angry every day. It is only His grace, mercy, and longsuffering that controls His anger and wrath. Imagine God honing His blade. I believe He becomes angry over those who purposely mock Him and His moral laws. I believe He becomes angry when the innocent are hurt, maimed, and killed. I believe He becomes angry when people scorn the sacrifice of His Son for their sins. Think of that great Gift that was given and yet it is rejected, despised, mocked, and laughed at. One thing for sure, the Word of God is sharp and it cuts. It forces people to choose.
“See, he is pregnant with evil, conceives troubles, and gives birth to deceit. (14)
He dug a pit and hollowed it out, but fell into the hole he had made. (15)
His trouble comes back on his own head, and his violence falls on the top of his head.” (16)
What people do often recoils on them, however many do not even realize it. They continue on, often blaming others or simply “bad luck.” David realizes in the second half of this Psalm that life is not fair and there will be many who transgress, so there should never be a surprise.
“I will thank the LORD for His righteousness; I will sing about the name of the LORD, the Most High.” (17)
Interesting that David starts with woes and how people are against him. Once he remembers God, His power, might, and righteousness he ends the psalm with praise!
“Fatherlike he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows.
In his hands he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.”
–Carolina Sandell Berg