Our Daily Scripture – 1/1/24 (Mon)

SCRIPTURE:  PSALM 35

MEMORY VERSES:

“Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.” (Psalm 35:1)

“My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.” (Psalm 35:28)

DAVID’S PETITION TO GOD:

  1.  Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.” (v. 1)
  2.  Arise and come to my aid. (v. 2)
  3.  Brandish spear and block against those who pursue me. (v. 3)
  4.  Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. (v. 17)
  5.  Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause, let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. (v. 19)
  6.  Be not silent and do not be far from me, O Lord. (v. 22)
  7.  Awake, and rise to my defense!  Contend for me, my God and Lord. (v. 23)
  8.  Vindicate me in your righteousness, O Lord my God; do not let them gloat over me. (v. 24)
  9.  Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!” or say, “We have swallowed him up.” (v. 25)

DAVID’S WISHES:

  1.  May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame. (v. 4a)
  2.  May those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. (v. 4b)
  3.  May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away. (v. 5)
  4.  May their path be dark and slippery with the angel of the Lord pursue them. (v. 6)
  5.  My ruin overtake them by surprise. (v. 8a)
  6.  May the net they hid entangle them. (v. 8b)
  7.  May they fall into the pit to their ruin. (v. 8c)
  8.  May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion. (v. 26a)
  9.  May all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace. (v. 26b)
  10.  May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well being of his servant. (v. 27)

HOW DAVID WAS BEING TREATED BY HIS ENEMIES:

  1.  They sought for his life and plotted his ruin. (v. 4)
  2.  They hid their net and dug a pit for David without cause (v. 7)
  3.  They questioned David on things he knew nothing about. (v. 11)
  4.  They repaid David evil for good and left his soul forlorn. (v. 12)
  5.  They gathered in glee when David stumbled. (v. 15)
  6.  They gathered against David when he was unaware. (v. 15b)
  7.  They slandered David without ceasing. (v. 15c)
  8.  They maliciously mocked David and gnashed their teeth at him. (v. 16)

HOW DAVID TREATED HIS ENEMIES:

  1.  When they were ill, David put on sackcloth and fasted. (v. 13)
  2.  David went about as though for his friend or brother. (v. 14a)
  3.  David bowed his head in grief as though weeping for his mother. (v. 14b)

DAVID’S FINAL CONCLUSION:

  1.  My soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation. (v. 9)
  2.  My whole being will exclaim “Who is like, you, O Lord? (v. 10)
  3.  I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you. (v. 18)
  4.  My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long. (v. 28)

THOUGHTS:

God delivered David from two different enemies:

  1.  Those who attack him. (vs. 1-10)
  2.  Those who accused him. (vs. 11-28)

Satan also attacks and accuses believers.  But the Lord will fight for those who belong to Him.  He will care for His people.

David felt that his prayer were not answered.  When our petition is delayed, we may assume that God does not answer our prayers.  Remember that God hears every prayer but He answers according to His time.  Do not let the absence of an immediate answer cause you to doubt or resent God.  Instead, let it be an occasion to deepen your faith.

David cried out to God to defend him when people wrongly accused him.  When we are being unjustly accused, our natural reaction is to defend ourselves and take revenge.  But we should ask God to fight the battle for us.  He will clear our name in due time.