As I was reading my bible this morning I came across the 35th Psalm. I’ve read it many times before, but as scripture is apt to do something new jumped out at me. This Psalm was of King David as he begged the Lord to stand up for him against those who wish to take his life.
Many times in my life I have felt the push back of trying to stand for what is right and having others fight me. No where has this rang truer than raising children, especially when they become teenagers. They are not trying to take my life, but they sure can steal our joy and peace as we continually walk through conflict. The bickering, chatter, and cajoling can weary the strongest soul. What they might view as me being mean and unreasonable, I view as trying to guide and preserve their heart and body from the scars that life offers.
As I got down to verses 12-18, it struck me that King David was praying for these same people who were turning against him. His heart was heavy as he mourned for them, bowing his head, and weeping over them. However, unlike me, he never tries to convince them of his innocence. He never tries to ‘make them see’ the truth. Instead, he takes it to God. He asks God to defend him. He asked God to vindicate his name. He trusted that God was big enough to handle the problem without his input or help.
This is not to say that we shouldn’t guide and train our children or speak life into our teens. Rather this is to remind me that often what I speak can fall on deaf ears but that doesn’t keep God from changing their hearts from the inside out.
And what change could be better?
To truly be repentant because God has convicted us is so much better than mom shaming them to change. If I initiate the change it is only an external change… a ‘white washed grave’ meaning a person that looks good but is rotten to the core.
I would rather see a heart changing for Jesus. My greatest desire is to see my children of all ages walk in the truth of God’s word.
Psalm 35
Of David.
1 Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.
3 Brandish spear and javelin[a]
against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
“I am your salvation.”
4 May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.
5 May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the LORD driving them away;
6 may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.
10 My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, LORD?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
11 Ruthless witnesses come forward;
they question me on things I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good
and leave me like one bereaved.
13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting.
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14 I went about mourning
as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
as though weeping for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.
They slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;[b]
they gnashed their teeth at me.
17 How long, Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.
19 Do not let those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
do not let those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
20 They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it.”
22 LORD, you have seen this; do not be silent.
Do not be far from me, Lord.
23 Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, LORD my God;
do not let them gloat over me.
25 Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
or say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26 May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27 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.”
28 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
your praises all day long.
I encourage you to read this scripture and see where it applies in your life. Do you see other things that jump out at you? Please share them in the comments. As we walk this life together, we need to learn from each other. My sweet Millie girl is safely home with Jesus, but there are many other children and grandchildren that I am praying will follow Jesus all the days of their life and then live with him eternally. That leaves so much to pray over,
“… For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required;…” Luke 12:48b
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☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:･ﾟ★
I still believe in Millie’s Miracle
☆｡･:*:･ﾟ Hebrews 11:1 ｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
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