johnmarkharris.net

Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause   

against an ungodly people,

from the deceitful and unjust man   

deliver me!

We need help. We have an Advocate who is not only pleading our case for us, He’s also the Judge. It may take time, a lifetime even, but God will defend your cause and we will be vindicated… not because of our own actions, but on behalf of the Son who died for us. Do not worry about those who oppose you, God will take care of it. Trust Him.

Blessed is the man who makes   

the Lord his trust,

who does not turn to the proud,   

to those who go astray after a lie!

Be careful what you put your trust in. Just because someone tells you what you want to hear, doesn’t make it true. Trust in God. His way is going to end up better anyway. “follow me and you’ll never experience pain” “trust in me and I’ll bring you fortune and comfort” yet, it’s a lie. The Christian life, in many ways, is a hard one. It is the road less traveled, but it’s also a paradox. It is also the easy way because it is not our own effort which takes us along the road, it is Christ in us. Don’t turn to the one who tickles your ears, trust in the creator of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ.

Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;   

fight against those who fight against me!

Take hold of shield and buckler   

and rise for my help!

Draw the spear and javelin   

against my pursuers!Say to my soul,   

“I am your salvation!”

We don’t have to fight for ourselves, God does that. It is a good thing for Christians to stand up for others, to ensure they are treated fairly, but we don’t have to seek Justice for us, the Lord will do that. Just relax, if someone is fighting against you, if you’re in the right, God will ultimately take care of it. If they have a point, be willing to listen… and (as is usually the case) if it’s a mix of both, you don’t have to sort out what’s right, Jesus has it covered.

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;

let me never be put to shame;

in your righteousness deliver me!

Incline your ear to me;

rescue me speedily!

Be a rock of refuge for me,

a strong fortress to save me!

David knew on whom to call. Only God can be the calm in the midst of our storms. He can rescue us, in the very moment of our need. He does not always take us out of the storm, but he will always be the rock to which we can cling. He is our strong fortress when the cannonballs of life are exploding all around us. Trust in him!

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in you I trust;

let me not be put to shame;

let not my enemies exult over me.

Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;

they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

We only give our life, our very soul, to the Lord, if we truly trust him. In doing so, we want to be right. We have put all our eggs in one basket. Our only hope of salvation is in the Lord. All in. Either we will be vindicated and God will be shown to be God, or we were fools, put to shame. Trust in the Lord. He is the one!