A Devotional Thought from Psalm 7:1–5
Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.
1 O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust:
Save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion,
Rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
3 O Lord my God, if I have done this;
If there be iniquity in my hands;
4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me;
(Yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it;
Yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth,
And lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
Psalm 7:1–5
David had an accuser. It seems that the accuser’s name was Cush the Benjamite. We know nothing more about this man because he is not mentioned in the record of David’s life, at least not by this name. David felt that if God didn’t intervene that this adversary with his hurtful words would shred his soul to pieces like a lion slashes his prey (vs.2). The person who wrote “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” was not telling the truth. Words hurt and can cut you deep. Wounds made by words are some of the deepest and most difficult to bandage.
Perhaps the most hurtful thing about these accusations for David was that they were just not true (vs.3-5). Some say that if someone accuses you and you know it isn’t true then it shouldn’t bother you. I can say from experience that that is not the case. I have had folks say things about me that were not true. I have had Christians that I respected and love call my motives into question as though they could read my mind. I knew the accusations were false and yet I was hurt by their words and the potential damage done to my reputation. It is sad but true that often people are quick to believe slander. Many prefer falsehoods over facts because lies are more exciting than the truth. David ran to God in prayer trusting him for healing and vindication (vs.1).
Our Great Physician heals all kinds of wounds, but he specializes at those made deep inside the soul.
Before I end, I must remind you that we all have an accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). He is a liar and the father of lies (Jn. 8:44). There is nothing more that he would prefer to do than to shred your soul like a lion (1 Pet 5:8). He doesn’t always lie, I must also admit that when it comes to my sins that he so often reminds me, he is actually telling the truth. I can’t deny those sins were committed by me and yet because I have an advocate with the Father, I can proudly claim “not guilty” (1 Jn. 2:1-2).
I have tried to remind myself when slandered that it is just good that they don’t know some of the things that my Jesus has covered.
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