Tuesday, February 17, 2009
oppressed, communicating with God,
Psalm 129 begins with the statement that from the time I was a child, I was oppressed and attacked (referring to Israel). Yet through it all I have prevailed. We know history has proven this to be true. From the beginning the Jewish nation has been abused, attacked and tried to be destroyed. However, although they have been dispersed into many nations they have perservered. We now see the physical nation of Israel. I also believe that we can look upon this passage in relation to our lives as well and through Christ we have prevailed. Many have endured abuse, oppression, attacks, put downs, etc. in their lifetimes. People handle these things differently, some allowing them to destroy them or inhibit their lives while others deal with them through Christ's healing. I think this brings us to know that it is only through our allowing Christ to deal with us and these issues that true healing can be brought about in our lives. Many of us think we have done so, but do they come up again? If so, we need to again go to the Lord for direction and deliverance. We also need to remember that it is not ours to try to "make them answer" for their deeds, but God's. By realizing and accepting this, our lives will be blessed. In this psalm God is called upon to avenge the wrongs that have been done in "not so nice" ways -- put them to shame, make them wither as grass that is beat down upon by the sun and no longer useful even to the reapers. God understands our emotions when we are hurt. It is okay to express them to him--remember emotions were given to us by Him. But it is then our decision again as to how to deal with them. Will you allow God to be your defender? In Isaiah 52, we are told he is our defender. Who else could you want in that position? Beth reminds us that Christ gave His back to scourging so we, the rightful recipients of such agony, could instead receive dignity. "And by His stripes we are healed" - Isaiah 53:5. Amen!
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I loved the way this Psalm said: they did not gain the victory over me. We will suffer for Christ's sake. But we will be victorious in the end. However, our goal needs to also include victory while we are walking this earth in the midst of oppression. God understands we need to vent, cry, and there is a part that you can even attribute to righteous indignation and aligning with God in dispising sin. The problem is God has the right but we are sinners ourselves. We cannot become oppressors or judges. As Beth pointed out, as you bring those emotional pleas to God, listen to him direct your mind and heart to forgiveness which leads to freedom. God wants our healing not our request for vengence. Our focus must be on the life of victory Jesus suffered and died to give us, even while we were yet enemies of God. So we must also pray for our enemies and forgive them. I liked how Beth brought out the fact that although David in his Psalm was asking God to deal harshly with his enemies, when he was put in a position to mete out harshness, he did not succomb to evil but overcame evil with good. This can only come from a relationship of abiding in Christ, time spent with HIM to develop Christ-likeness and the ability to hear HIS direction for our lives. Even if some of that time is spent voicing our rants, it is still developing a relationship and turning to the only ONE Who can help us and redirect us. I pray that God will give me a heart to pray for my enemies in a way other than for their demise. I know by David's example that He will do this for me also! Praise and Glory to God for His unconditional love!
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