Day 61: Psalms 28: 4-7
Psalm 28:4 Give them according to their deeds, And according to the wickedness of their endeavors; Give them according to the work of their hands; Render to them what they deserve.
Our Lord and Savior You warned in Matthew 13: 31 & 32 that those who continue in their sin and evil with no repentance will be thrown into the fiery furnace where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. We long and pray that they will repent before it is too late, but if they will not repent and come to Jesus, they will receive what they deserve!
Lord, if they will not repent, if they will not turn from their sinful destructive ways, if they will not cease their murderous ways, remove their influence. Let them do no more harm to Your people. Lord Jesus, You have taught us to pray for our enemies, but You have also taught us that those who harm your little ones, it would have been better if a millstone had been hung around their neck and they be drowned in the depths of the sea. This terrible drowning would be better for them than the eternal destiny they will face. Lord, we cry out for mercy. We cry for mercy for Your people from the terrible oppression of the wicked, but we also pray that if there be any way, even as You caused the apostle Paul to turn from his former ways to seek the things of Christ, so we pray that You would make our enemies into our friends and brothers in Christ. But if not . . . if they will not turn from their wicked ways, if they embrace evil and refuse the good, if they harden their hearts and will not repent and believe in the grace, mercy, and forgiveness that Christ offers after multiple warnings, then repay them for their evil, O Lord.
Psalm 28:5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, Nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them And not build them up.
Lord, You have spoken in the heavens. Psalm 19:1 reminds us that the heavens are declaring Your glory, but Your enemies would not hear Your voice. Many of these people have seen the godly ones who seek and follow You and that example should have turned their hearts. Still others have heard the very Word of God. They have heard the Word of Christ preached and taught. They have heard the truth, but they have refused it. Nor have they refused it only once, but time and time again.
O Lord, our hearts are so hard, so encrusted with sin that unless You break through we cannot respond. O Lord, forgive, O Lord, help us. But if after all Your grace and kindness has been revealed to them and they still refuse to repent, then Lord, we honor Your perfect wisdom and justice. Indeed, You do all things well. One day all of creation will confess that You have done all things well. You are just in all Your judgments, yet You have still found a way to be compassionate to Your children. You loved us while we were yet sinners and in rebellion against You. We ask that You save others who have rebelled. But if they will not come, if they continue to resist Your gracious gifts of love and salvation and show no repentance, no godly sorrow than deal with them as they have chosen.
Psalm 28:6 Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
Lord, You have dealt and are dealing with my enemies, with those who have refused to repent and hear the Word of God. You have delivered me from their hand and dealt with them in Your way and according to Your perfect timetable.
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.
Lord, You help me from without and from within. You help me by dealing with the circumstances of my life, but You also help me by changing my heart attitude and giving me the faith, the boldness, and the wisdom to follow You in Your most holy and perfect way. Even when I stumble and fall, You are with me to pick me up and guide me on the right path. Again and again, when I was broken and weak, You saved me from my enemies. You gave me courage in my heart. You have given me rest and peace, even before the face of my enemies and those who opposed me.
Growing in Prayer 