Psalm 35
When I begin to read Psalm 35 I think I am in a place where I have been before, reading another Psalm about David wanting his enemies destroyed, and while this is true there is a shift in verse 11 that I have not seen thus far in my Psalm journey. For about 4 verses David talks about how he has fasted and prayed for those who now are attempting to do him harm. He writes about how he is being repaid evil for the good that he has done, he talks about sackcloth and mourning, he in essence talks about love. He has given and given and now he is finding nothing but malice in those that he gave to.
The same thing can at times happen to us if we are to follow the example that Christ compels us to. You see the problem is that Jesus doesn't say 'forgive them their sins if they are extremely repentant'. Jesus doesn't say 'walk two miles with them if they are grateful.' He doesn't mention anything about us laying down our lives for someone who is very deserving of such a sacrifice. And he doesn't say 'pray for those who persecute you after they have sought reconciliation with you.' He doesn't come to give sight to the blind who ask nicely nor to set the prisoners free who are sorry for what they have done nor to proclaim the year of the Lord to those in debt who really want to pay it back with interest. And since Jesus doesn't add any of those caveats, we shouldn't either.
To that end there may be times when we give and are not thanked. There may be times when we sacrifice and then people just expect more. There may be times when we show love and are shown hatred in return. There may be times when we accept and are not tolerated. And in those times we are expected to give, sacrifice, love, and accept again and again and again. David called down the fire and the thunder, but we are to call down the grace and the mercy.
+ Have you ever been repaid evil for the good you have done? How did you respond?
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