Day 192: Psalm 55: 19 – 21
Psalm 55:19 God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God. 20He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant. 21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
Lord, you hear the prayers of all your people. As you heard the prayers of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as you heard the prayers of Israel when they were oppressed by Egypt, as you heard the prayers of Job in his trials, Joseph in prison, and all your children through times of trouble and sorrow, so you hear and answer the prayers of your children who cry out to you.
You hear to deliver your children and punish the wicked and unrepentant sinner who refuses to stop his evil, who refuses to repent and turn unto you. There will come a day of judgment for the wicked who will not turn His heart to You, who will not repent of his sin and seek the Lord. Jesus, in Luke 18:7-8, says, “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, will He really find faith on the earth?”
You call us to repentance. You even give sinners love and mercy (Matthew 5:45). You show even the godless the light of creation (Romans 1:18-21). You bid them to cease their evil ways and turn to you. But you have also shown us that many will refuse to turn from their sin (Matthew 23:37). Many are those who continue down the path of destruction. There will be a day of judgment for those who refuse to repent.
These sinners do not fear God. They attacked people who were at peace with them for no true reason. They did not keep their words of peace, their very covenant promise that they made not to fight against us. They said they would not fight, but they did.
They were deceiving with their words and their looks. They pretended to be with us, to be at peace. Their very words were kind and tender, but there was only evil in their hearts. As Joseph’s own brothers betrayed him, as Judas turned against Christ Jesus, some pretended to be our friends but were truly our enemies.
Lord Jesus, You know what it is to be betrayed. You know what it is for people to make promises but then have evil motives in their hearts. You know what it is to have those who should love and support you hate and betray you. Lord, do not let their evil make us bitter and hard and cold. Let us be wise as serpents but innocent as doves. Help us be discerning, prepared, and ready, but do not let their evil and hate overcome us.
Through Jesus Christ alone, Amen!
Growing in Prayer 