Reflecting God’s Devotions for Holy Living – Tuesday, 7 January 2014 “Praying for Deliverance” Scripture Psalm 35

Reflecting God’s Devotions for Holy Living – Tuesday, 7 January 2014 “Praying for Deliverance” Scripture Psalm 35: 15 But at my stumbling they gathered in glee,

    they gathered together against me;

ruffians whom I did not know

    tore at me without ceasing;

16 they impiously mocked more and more,[a]

    gnashing at me with their teeth.

17 How long, O Lord, will you look on?

    Rescue me from their ravages,

    my life from the lions!

18 Then I will thank you in the great congregation;

    in the mighty throng I will praise you.

19 Do not let my treacherous enemies rejoice over me,

    or those who hate me without cause wink the eye.

20 For they do not speak peace,

    but they conceive deceitful words

    against those who are quiet in the land.

21 They open wide their mouths against me;

    they say, “Aha, Aha,

    our eyes have seen it.”

22 You have seen, O Lord; do not be silent!

    O Lord, do not be far from me!

23 Wake up! Bestir yourself for my defense,

    for my cause, my God and my Lord!

24 Vindicate me, O Lord, my God,

    according to your righteousness,

    and do not let them rejoice over me.

25 Do not let them say to themselves,

    “Aha, we have our heart’s desire.”

Do not let them say, “We have swallowed you[b] up.”

26 Let all those who rejoice at my calamity

    be put to shame and confusion;

let those who exalt themselves against me

    be clothed with shame and dishonor.

27 Let those who desire my vindication

    shout for joy and be glad,

    and say evermore,

“Great is the Lord,

    who delights in the welfare of his servant.”

28 Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness

    and of your praise all day long.

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 35:16 Cn Compare Gk: Heb like the profanest of mockers of a cake

b. Psalm 35:25 Heb him

“Praying for Deliverance” by H. Ray Dunning

There are many Christians in our world today for whom the prayer found in Psalm 35 would have personal significance. Some live under oppressive regimes that forbid profession of loyalty to Jesus Christ. These believers must worship in secret. They must not speak up in public or run the risk of persecution. Numerous Christian martyrs have been reported in such areas. Where certain religions traditionally have made converts by threat of physical harm the life of Christians is often precarious.

A couple who are members of the Sunday School class I teach regularly request prayer for family members who serve the Lord in a country where they cannot present themselves as missionaries. They cannot tell us much about them for fear that they will be endangered. We pray for them, as I am sure they also pray, that God will defend and protect them from harm.

In the Western world we know little personally about enemies who pursue us to take our lives. We may think of relief from minor irritations. While God is certainly interested in the tiniest details of our lives, if we compare our problems with “suffering saints” around our world, perhaps our prayers should be directed on their behalf.

Hymn for Today:

“Day by Day” by Caroline V. Sandell-Berg translated by Andrew L. Skoog

1. Day by day and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,

I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best--

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

2. Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,

He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"

This the pledge to me He made.

3. Help me then in eve'ry tribulation

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith's sweet consolation

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E'er to take, as from a father's hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land.

Thought for Today:

“Victory in the Christian life is not the absence of conflict but the presence and protection of God in the midst of conflict”(William MacDonald).

Prayer Needs:

Developing Christian leaders in Italy.

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