SCRIPTURE: Psalm 52
This Psalm is tied to 1 Samuel 21-22, where Doeg betrays David and slaughtered the priests and citizens of Nob.
David accepts responsibility for what happens (1 Samuel 22:22); this Psalm expresses his pain, anger and confidence in God despite this horrific situation.
Love for God and people does not mean that we ignore injustice or abuse or cruelty; but neither should we take matters into our own hands, we need to trust God’s justice and those responsible for executing justice (lawful authorities).
When I hear about bullying, when I hear about abuse, when I hear about rape, when I hear about crime, I can be certain that those committing these crimes will be humbled, will stand before God one day, and will face both God’s justice and mercy (as we all will).
If their hearts are humbled to sincere, genuine repentance, they will also experience God’s mercy.
This Psalm expresses the basic message that the proud will be humbled and the humbled will be lifted up.
David knows that God will set things right one day, and therefore he has hope even in the face of shocking cruelty.
I try to imagine what it must have been like for those who entered the Nazi prison camps; as horrific as they were, this Psalm assures us that one day the perpetrators of these horrors would one day face God’s justice.
This is what encourages me when I think of all the horrors and atrocities still occurring today; there is a time coming when God will deal with this.
As for me, my commitment should be to be the kind of person that God lifts up – humble, gentle, loving, kind, etc – and not the kind of person God brings down.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, I am not presently facing abuse, nor am I abusing anyone (that I am aware of). But help me to be the kind of person that You bless, that You lift up. Help me to be humble, gentle, loving, kind, etc.