Today’s Reading: Psalm 58
Have you ever felt the pain of injustice? The hurt that can come when false judgment has been passed on you or someone else close?
As I reflected on David’s words, I thought of the pain I’ve personally experienced when I’ve had judgments passed based on passes mistakes. Unfortunately, I also thought about the pain that I have caused others through my same shortcomings. Romans 3:23 reminds me that we have all fallen short at some time or another. Whatever side of injustice or judgment you have been on, you understand the pain and anger that can accompany these times. We read the anger in David’s words as he seeks justice through the Lord.
6 Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;
Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions!
7 Let them vanish like water that flows away;
when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.
Yes, there is a harshness to these verese when you go through today’s reading. Psalm 58 is an “imprecatory” psalm that calls upon God to deal with enemies.
There have been times where I’ve struggled with anger,, and the words, decisions, and actions made by someone else made me turn around and make the same mistakes. I pray for continued spiritual growth to seek God’s wisdom and not fall back on the human reasoning that does things to make matters worse or slander others. To not seek revenge based on the emotions I’m feeling at that particular moment. At this moment, I’m reminded of the many verses that point us back to God’s words about revenge.
Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
1 Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
Maybe you have faced a recent situation where you were judged wrongly, maybe some type of injustice. I’m sorry, I wish there wasn’t the immediate pain we all feel when this happens. All I can say is seek God’s wisdom. Cry out and ask for our Lord’s peace in the middle of your pain.
Psalm 58:11 Then people will say,
“Surely the righteous still are rewarded;
surely there is a God who judges the earth.”
Lord, We know you go before us and know everything that has happened and will happen in our lives. Help us to not doubt, dispute, or debate your plans. We will accept the trials we face even when they may seem injust or in false judgment knowing these trials humble us and will wean us away from this world. These words and actions that temporarily hurt us will compare nothing to an eternity, give us comfort in these trials and help us always to turn to you. Work in our hearts. Amen