Snakes on a Plain
Opening Prayer
Lord, thank You for my traveling companions in the faith who support and encourage me, especially in the tough times.
Read Psalm 58
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[1] For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity? [2] No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth. [3] Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies. [4] Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears, [5] that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be. [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. [8] May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun. [9] Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns- whether they be green or dry-the wicked will be swept away. [10] The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked. [11] Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Do you ever feel troubled at the injustice in the world? Is it easy for you to trust God to be a just judge? David must have sung this song through gritted teeth! The ruling leaders all around him wereincensing him—they were unjust and brutal. (Not that David was exactly pure and innocenthimself!)They had been rebels against God’s ways since they were born. They were like wild snakes,lashing about, taking no notice of the snake charmer. They didn’t listen to anyone, includingGod. “So, God, destroy their power!” Look at all the images David uses to pray judgment onthem. Picture all the different creatures and their demise. “Make them weak and vulnerable. Goon, kill them, Lord!” That’s how much their injustice angered David. “Then everything willwork out.” Faith and the faithful—or rather, the Lord—will win in the end.Over the past fortnight we have seen how Abraham and his family must have felt alone against aharsh world, as they headed into Canaan. Surrounding kings and princes fought over neighboringterritories, and the God-followers from Ur often got caught up in it (for example, Genesis 14).God was building a people for his own, who would reflect him to the godless world around them.And he still is, with us.David must have sung this song through gritted teeth! The ruling leaders all around him were incensing him—they were unjust and brutal. (Not that David was exactly pure and innocent himself!) They had been rebels against God’s ways since they were born. They were like wild snakes, lashing about, taking no notice of the snake charmer. They didn’t listen to anyone, including God. “So, God, destroy their power!” Look at all the images David uses to pray judgment on them. Picture all the different creatures and their demise. “Make them weak and vulnerable. Go
on, kill them, Lord!” That’s how much their injustice angered David. “Then everything will work out.” Faith and the faithful—or rather, the Lord—will win in the end. Over the past fortnight we have seen how Abraham and his family must have felt alone against a harsh world, as they headed into Canaan. Surrounding kings and princes fought over neighboring territories, and the God-followers from Ur often got caught up in it (for example, Genesis 14). God was building a people for his own, who would reflect him to the godless world around them. And he still is, with us.
Apply
Ask God to show you how you can reflect his character to those around you today.
Closing prayer
Lord of justice, may I trust You to be the judge in this world. Focus my eyes on living a life that pleases You.
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