Today’s Devotional Theme
Bent on Destruction
Daily Scripture
Psalm 52:1-3, 8 (HCSB)
"Why brag about evil, you hero! God's faithful love is constant. Like a sharpened razor, your tongue devises destruction, working treachery. You love evil instead of good, lying instead of speaking truthfully (selah)...But I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God; I trust in God's faithful love forever and ever."
Encouragement
The historical setting here is Doeg the Edomite telling Saul that David received help from Abimelech and other priests as he ran from Saul who was trying to kill him. As a result, 85 priests died at Saul's command. Because of one man's word, so many of the Lord's servants died. It is not hard to find people like this today. People who seem to have a natural desire for the downfall of others. Doegs can be seen in churches, the workplace, families, you name it...And the thing is...they are selfish individuals who don't care who they hurt. Even worse, the few (or many) that they hurt ends up affecting many more people. Read through the Bible and you will find Doegs everywhere causing trouble for God's people. The natural reaction for us would be to retaliate. But that fuels the fire because people like that love to get under your skin!
Apply God’s Word
David provides the perfect example of what to do when confronted with these types of people: 1) Take note of who they are and take the steps necessary to warn not only them of their behavior, but others as well. The apostle Paul rebuked such people and Jude dedicated his book to them (see 1 Timothy 5:20 and Jude). This does not mean to stoop to their level and retaliate. It simply means to warn. Trust me when I say that, as a pastor, this is very difficult and must be done in Godly love for the betterment of the individual and the rest of the congregation. 2) Place your trust and hope in God's faithful love. An old pastor told me once, "Son, you do the right thing and let God handle those troublemakers." God will either deal with them or show you how to deal with them in love. People are going to lie about and persecute you. It's going to happen (see Matthew 5:10-12). Rely on God's wisdom and faithful love when faced with the Doegs in life. You'll be sorry if you try to retaliate on your own every time.
Come into His Presence
Lord Jesus, You told us that we would be blessed amidst persecution if we look to You. Even the Old Testament saints were glad when they allowed God to give them His wisdom concerning the Doegs in life. We ask for your wisdom because there are some people who just seem to think it's their calling in life to cause trouble and hurt others. Help us to either deal with them gently, or show us to not do anything at all and let You handle it. We choose to trust You in all things. In Jesus' name, amen.
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