Psalm 69:18-19 Come, Lord, and rescue me. Ransom me from all my enemies. You know how they talk about me, and how they so shamefully dishonor me. You see them all and know what each has said.
20 Their contempt has broken my heart; my spirit is heavy within me. If even one would show some pity, if even one would comfort me! 21 For food they gave me gall; for my awful thirst they offered vinegar.
Few things are more disheartening than accidentally overhearing people you thought were friends conspiring behind your back, “shamefully dishonoring” you.
When we first arrived in our current location 33 years ago, we swiftly realized that our supervisors hadn’t done us any favors. The health services head should have brought me to the Regional Director of Health Services along with copies of my training documents and my license so that the RDHS could assure himself of my legitimacy. Instead, I had to play catch-up, presenting myself, something that should not have happened. This failure to introduce me to all the relevant authorities left me open to vicious rumors and criticisms. My legitimacy remained in question until I upgraded our small health center into a district hospital in the middle of a tribal war, establishing blood transfusions, operations, and proper inpatient treatment. Meanwhile, my husband helped repair equipment at the local vocational school, as well as reviving their aging tractor.
What did we learn from this experience? You can outlast any lies if you just keep breathing oxygen long enough; in other words, remain faithful, remain consistent, and don’t pay attention to the doubters.
22 Let their joys turn to ashes and their peace disappear; 23 let darkness, blindness, and great feebleness be theirs. 24 Pour out your fury upon them; consume them with the fierceness of your anger. 25 Let their homes be desolate and abandoned. 26 For they persecute the one you have smitten and scoff at the pain of the one you have pierced. 27 Pile their sins high and do not overlook them. 28 Let these men be blotted from the list of the living; do not give them the joys of life with the righteous.
WOOF! Just in case you thought the psalmist was about to meekly turn the other cheek, think again! The psalmist feels that God has already smitten and pierced him/her; therefore, God is the One who should deal with these vicious critics. As far as the psalmist is concerned, God can wipe these people off the face of the earth.
29 But rescue me, O God, from my poverty and pain. 30 Then I will praise God with my singing! My thanks will be his praise— 31 that will please him more than sacrificing a bullock or an ox. 32 The humble shall see their God at work for them. No wonder they will be so glad! All who seek for God shall live in joy. 33 For Jehovah hears the cries of his needy ones and does not look the other way.
Throughout the Bible, God repeatedly emphasizes that obedience is much more important than any amount of animal sacrifices. It’s quite possible to furnish perfect expensive animals while continuing to have a wicked rebellious heart. God know our hearts and He knows when someone is faking it. Here the psalmist is offering praise and thanksgiving, offerings that demand true-heartedness and authenticity.
34 Praise him, all heaven and earth! Praise him, all the seas and everything in them! 35 For God will save Jerusalem; he rebuilds the cities of Judah. His people shall live in them and not be dispossessed. 36 Their children shall inherit the land; all who love his name shall live there safely.
When our hearts are right with God, He can bless us. Eventually, God does save Jerusalem and rebuild the cities of Judah. But Israel remains under attack, so this part of the psalm has yet to be fulfilled completely.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, thank You that You are the One who justifies us and preserves our reputations. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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