Trivia:
Way to go everbody, you were all right, in the 50's most stores were closed on Sunday in honor of the need for workers to rest on the Jewish sabbath. Then next came the blue laws where stores were open but only for necessities resulting in the need for a limited number of staff.
Here is another knowledge challenge. What is the stinkiest fruit in the world? Jackfruit; Marang; Durian; Champedeck? If you ask me this one really stinks, Oh I admit that was bad.
Challenge:
Psalm 7:9,10 "End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God. God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right."
These verses are part two of David's appeal to God for the wicked to be rightly dealt with, for they joy in bringing harm to those who strive to rightly honor the Lord and His people. Now it is important to remember the definition of the wicked. They were those who lived in rebellion to God's wishes, they didn't just disobey Him but they attempt to bring harm to the lives of those followers of Him.
David's call for God to defend those who follow after His ways, is both loving and just, for He alone knows the inner intent of all peoples. Notice, His request that God deal with them according to their inner thoughts and emotions. For only God knows the intent of those who walk in opposition to Him. Some unknowingly disobey Him and His ways, while others intentionally strive to walk totally and completely adverse to Him. He recognizes that only God can know just what are the motives of others.
For us to judge their motives, as well as, for us to bring discipline upon them would be harmful and incorrect. Have you ever as a parent disciplined your child improperly, then after meeding out punishment come to the realization that you misjudged their motive? Then you've had to change course and felt the need to apologize and correct you couse of discipline?
It is for this reason that David makes this next statement, "God is my shield", He protects us from wrongly punishing those who are pure in their intent. He also is making the assumption that his inner intent is true and right, when it comes to His response to others.
This childhood experience is emblazoned into my heart, when I walked out of the back door to the neighborhood boys beating up my younger brother who was six years younger than me. When witnessing this scurmish I failed to respond immediately in his defense, assuming that he had done something to deserve this. The boys turned to look at me as I walked down the steps upon my failure to intervene or verbally defend my brother they continued on. I will never forget Danny's pleading eyes for me to weigh in and correct the wrong being waged against him. When he fell down injured I awoke to my resoponsibility of defending my brother. I instantly responded in knocking the boys off of him, and throwing several boys into the bushes. Upon my reaction they ran out of our backyard and down the alley.
For much of the time for the rest of that day I apologized for my inactivity in Danny's defense. In our neighborhood I would fix the younger boys flat tires, or air them up to proper inflation, or put back on the slipped chains, lubricate the axles, etc. and many times strive to settle disputes that would come up.
I will never forget the look of my brother and of his helpless entreaty to me, it is emblazoned into my mind. For he usually was resilient to anything that came up, with joking, or laughing and letting those sort of circumstances roll off his back. But that look in his eyes and his facial expression spoke volumes to my need to intervene.
As we read this verse I am reminded of just how our loving Heavenly Father responds to our struggles in this life. He responds in grace and mercy to the needs of our lives. "Saving those whose hearts are true and right."
SO GO WITH GOD my friend for He is on the ready to care for your needs regardless of the level that your need may be. He doesn't shrug and sigh and then respond, no He joyously answers our call for His intervening hand. Remember David's words, "God is my (your) shield". He will stand in your defense for He is your "righteous God", so rest in His loving protection for you His special child.
Jackfruit