An Imprecatory Prayer For The Glory of God
Psalms 35
April 14, 2019
This morning as we talked about prayer as Jesus taught us to pray,
We looked into that somewhat confusing issue of the imprecatory Psalms.
We are talking about those Psalms where curses or judgment
Are prayed for against the enemies of God and His people.
As we noted, those Psalms have caused no small amount of confusion among God’s people as to many they seem to almost be Anti-Christian.
I even watched a short video clip this week from John Piper who spoke of a time in Germany as a graduate student when he went to a Q&A of sorts and one student asked the faculty about one of the imprecatory Psalms.
And the professor scolded back at the student, “That is a Pharisee Psalm!” Clearly implying, don’t ever quote that Psalm around us.
And sadly, that has been the mindset of far too many believers
And thus they ascribe to a very LIBERAL MENTALITY
Because they ultimately pass judgment on and overlook God’s word.
As we learned this morning,
By omitting those Psalms they even miss out greatly
On part of what our Lord taught us as He taught us to pray.
We don’t just read the imprecatory Psalms, we sing them, we pray them.
• They are part of God’s holy inspired word.
• They are His heart.
• They do not contradict.
And so what I tell you next should not surprise you.
JESUS PRAYS THEM!
Some would say,
“No, wait! Jesus would never pray something like that.”
To respond in that fashion would be to say that
Jesus didn’t write the Psalms and that the Psalms are not about Jesus.
And yet Jesus told us:
John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;”
What I’m going to tell you tonight is that Jesus prayed these Psalms.
I’m convinced Jesus still prays these Psalms as He intercedes for the saints before the throne of God.
And I’ll show you tonight that while Psalms 35 was first a prayer of David,
It’s is easy to see through spiritual eyes that it is also a prayer of Jesus.
But let’s first walk through this Psalm with David.
We can divide this Psalm into 3 main points.
#1 A CALL FOR GOD’S CONTENTION
Psalms 35:1-10
This is not one of those Psalms that is hard to understand.
The language is clear.
Verses 1-3 are clearly written in battle language.
Just look at the verbs:
• “Contend”
• “Fight”
• “Take hold of”
• “Rise up”
• “Draw”
We also notice that these are NOT UNWARRANTED requests.
David asks the LORD to “contend…with those who contend WITH ME”
And to “fight against those who fight AGAINST ME”
To “take…buckler and shield and rise up FOR MY HELP”
To “draw…the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who PURSUE ME.”
David is under attack.
He has been pursued.
He is being hunted.
And so David’s first request is that God would enter the battle.
That God would fight for him against this deadly foe.
And David is VERY ARTICULATE about his desire in this battle.
You see 6, all beginning with the word “let”
(4a) “Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life”
It is a request that his enemies be SHAMED
He wants them judged negatively in the court of human opinion.
What they are doing is not ok, it is not right, and he wants them to be exposed.
It is a great grievance to the afflicted when their persecutors
Can walk with their head held high regarding their atrocity.
DAVID WANTS THEM EXPOSED
For the things they’ve done in the darkness and for their murderous evils.
(4b) “Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me.”
It is a request that his enemies be STOPPED
Not only do I want them to be shamed, but I also want them to stop.
I want their humiliation to turn them back.
Like a light to a thief,
I want it to cause them to run away for fear of being captured.
(5) “Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them on.”
It is a request that his enemies be SCATTERED
As they run in fear, let them be dispersed
And let their organization and unity be broken.
Stop their alliances and move them far from one another.
And may the LORD keep blowing on them
Until they are gone far from here and far from one another.
(6) “Let their way be dark and slippery, With the angel of the LORD pursuing them.”
It is a request that as his enemies flee that they will SLIP
In short, while you make them run, and while you scatter them,
DON’T LET THEM ESCAPE.
Leave no chance that they might later reorganize and return.
They need to fall.
AND THEN DAVID GIVES HIS FIRST EXPLANATION
AS TO WHY THIS PRAYER IS BEING OFFERED
(7) “For without cause they hid their net for me; Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.”
Not only do we see that someone laid a plan to catch him,
But we see also the fact that David says it was “without cause”
From reading the Scriptures we know that David is not a perfect man.
• He made his share of mistakes.
But we also know that David is not an arrogant man.
• When he sins, he owns up to it.
• He confesses it and he repents of it.
We have also seen David willingly submit to the consequences of his sin.
• Whether that was the death of the child of his affair with Bathsheba
• Or even the LORD’S plague after David numbered the people.
David is not one to deny his sin or complain about the consequences.
So when David says their hostility is “without cause”
We are inclined to believe him.
Whether this was Saul or Absalom or some other threat, we don’t know.
• We just know that David has found himself under undeserved attack
• And he wants the LORD to come and fight for him.
BACK TO HIS SPECIFIC REQUESTS.
(8a) “Let destruction come upon him unawares,”
It is a request that they be SHOCKED
It speaks of an enemy that is walking in full confidence and arrogance
That David will soon fall to him.
David wants God’s plan to be fully executed and executed stealthily.
At the moment he thinks he is winning,
Spring upon him and shock him in defeat.
(8b) “And let the net which he hid catch himself; into that very destruction let him fall.”
It is a request that they be SNARED
• Haman built the gallows, let him be hung on them.
• Pharaoh drowned the babies, let him be drowned.
They launched a plan of attack against the innocent,
Now let them fall by their own plan.
Now that is David’s request.
It is a call for God’s CONTENTION.
He is specifically asking for the Lord to intervene in this battle,
Win the battle, and deliver David.
And at this point we deal with those emotions that give us pause.
• What about the command to pray for our enemies?
• What about the requirements of forgiveness?
• ISN’T THIS PRAYER OF DAVID A DIRECT CONTRADICTION?
To that first let me say.
If you ever read 2 verses in the Bible that seem to contradict each other
There is a problem in your interpretation, not the Biblical message.
God inspired every word in this book, and God is not confused.
Every apparent contradiction only exists because of human interpretation,
Not because of divine revelation.
So no, this is not a contradiction
To those prayers for the forgiveness of enemies.
THEN WHAT DO WE DO WITH IT?
Important to note throughout this Psalm
Is the FINAL EFFECT THAT DAVID DESIRES
As the consequence of God answering this prayer.
And that final effect or consequence is always THE GLORY OF GOD.
(9-10) “And my soul shall rejoice in the LORD; It shall exult in His salvation. All my bones will say, “LORD, who is like You, Who delivers the afflicted from him who is too strong for him, And the afflicted and the needy from him who robs him?”
Certainly that’s a promise of praise from David.
• I’ll praise You as Lord – “my soul shall rejoice in the LORD”
• I’ll praise You as Savior – “shall exult in His salvation”
• I’ll praise You as Unique – “All my bones will say, “LORD, who is like You”
• I’ll praise You as Powerful – “delivers the needy from him who is too strong”
• I’ll praise You as Compassionate – “delivers…the needy from him who robs him”
So the first stanza of this Psalm can easily be summarized.
FIGHT FOR ME AGAINST THIS DEADLY FOE AND I WILL PRAISE YOU.
And here we find perhaps where the contradiction is resolved.
• This is NOT a prayer of personal vengeance on the part of David.
• This is NOT a prayer for personal comfort on the part of David.
• This is a prayer for the glory of God.
Certainly when we are attacked or persecuted we are commanded not to take our own revenge.
• We are commanded to pray for those who persecuted us.
• We are commanded to be forgiving.
• We are commanded to love our enemies.
And so we do.
But there is another element always at work here.
• We also cry out passionately for God to show Himself mighty.
• We contend against the enemies of God.
Charles Spurgeon put it like this:
“There is nothing malicious here, the slandered man simply craves for justice, and the petition is natural and justifiable. Guided by God’s good spirit the Psalmist foretells the everlasting confusion of all the haters of the righteous. Shameful disappointment shall be the portion of the enemies of the gospel, nor would the most tender-hearted Christian have it otherwise; viewing sinners as men, we love them and seek their good, but regarding them as enemies of God, we cannot think of them with anything but detestations, and a loyal desire for the confusion of their devices. No loyal subject can wish well to rebels. Squeamish sentimentality may object to the strong language here used, but in their hearts all good men wish confusion to mischief-makers.”
(Spurgeon, Charles [The Treasury of David – Volume 1, part 2, Psalms XXVII to LVII; Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA] pg. 141)
What is more Spurgeon would add that
• These requests are the very requests of our great intercessor before the throne of God on our behalf as He battles against the accuser of the brethren.
“Every saint of God shall have this privilege: the accuser of the brethren shall be met by the Advocate of the saints. “Fight against them that fight against me.” If my adversaries try force as well as fraud, be a match for them; oppose thy strength to their strength. Jesus does this for all his beloved – for them he is both intercessor and champion; whatever aid they need they shall receive from him, and in whatever manner they are assaulted they shall be effectually defended.”
(ibid; pg. 140)
I understand that (as Spurgeon put it) the sentimental of squeamish
Or tender-hearted may initially have issue with the words of David here.
But that is because they are reading this wrong.
We are not here just talking about David’s enemies,
We are talking about God’s enemies.
We are talking about evil men who attack God’s children.
We are talking about the devil who would seek to destroy God’s elect.
• He is relentless in his pursuit…
• He is unbound by mercy or compassion…
• He lies as easily as he breathes…
• And we are powerless to overcome him…
• All we can do is pray.
• All we can do is ask God to fight for us.
• All we can do is ask God to stop him.
We sang it this morning.
“For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing; dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle.”
And we pray for this victory so that God is glorified
As Lord and Savior and Uniquely powerful and
And the compassionate defender of His own.
It is a tragedy that the church does not pray this prayer more often.
We should not sit idly by while the enemy attacks our brothers and sisters with lies and deceptions and temptations. We should war against him as David did.
Fight for me against this deadly foe and I will praise You!
Call for God’s Contention
#2 A CALL FOR GOD’S PERCEPTION
Psalms 35:11-21
I think the language here is also quite clear
Once you identify the imagery David is using.
It is a courtroom scene.
We see the INTERROGATION BY THE PROSECUTION
(11) “Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know”
It’s not that David is dumb or even ignorant,
It’s that the entire scope of the charges have been fabricated
And he could not possibly know what the answers are.
He is an innocent man caught in the false accusations of the wicked.
And here he is being grilled by the prosecuting attorney.
In response to his examination we see DAVID’S TESTIMONY
(12-14) “They repay me evil for good, To the bereavement of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting, And my prayer kept returning to my bosom. I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother.”
Here is David announcing his innocence.
• He did no wrong to his accusers.
• And he does not deserve this attack.
There is no evidence of malice or cruelty on David’s part.
He is innocent here.
But you’ll notice that David’s defense is powerless against the accusations of the enemy.
For we see the BLOODTHIRSTY JURY
(15-16) “But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered themselves together; The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me, They slandered me without ceasing. Like godless jesters at a feast, They gnashed at me with their teeth.”
More like a lynch mob than a fair trial.
The prosecuting attorney is drumming up charges
And the jury is buying every aspect of it.
David’s testimony of righteousness and compassion,
Even though saturated with truth, is falling on deaf ears.
This is why David is asking God to see what is going on and intervene!
(17) “Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, My only life from the lions.”
You can almost feel a frustration from David here
As he knows that God can see the truth about what is going on here.
David is under attack, he is powerless to stop it,
And God knows full well what the truth is.
So David is asking God to intervene.
And again we see why:
(18) “I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among a mighty throng.”
• Again it is for the glory of God.
• Again it is so that the saints in the congregation may be encouraged that God
does in fact deliver His own.
And then David returns to the trial at hand.
Next we see the WITNESSES FOR THE PROSECUTION
(19-21) “Do not let those who are wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me; Nor let those who hate me without cause wink maliciously. For they do not speak peace, But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land. They opened their mouth wide against me; They said, “Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it!”
• You see them winking to one another as they confirm their lies.
• You see them devising deceitful words.
• You see them agreeing with the lies of others “our eyes have seen it!”
It’s all a big mockery lie and deception.
There is nothing true here, it is all corruption.
It is a stacked court and David is powerless.
So, for the glory of God, David calls for God’s Perception.
Rescue me from these corrupt accusations and I will praise You!
Call for God’s Contention; Call for God’s Perception
#3 A CALL FOR GOD’S VINDICATION
Psalms 35:22-28
David knows that God knows the truth about the entire situation.
“You have seen it, O LORD”
David’s request now is that God will intervene and act as the judge.
It’s bad enough that I’ve fallen into the hands
• Of a wicked arresting officer
• A wicked prosecuting attorney
• A blood-thirsty jury,
• And lying witnesses.
But don’t throw me to the corruptions of a crooked judge.
“do not keep silent; O Lord, do not be far from me. Stir up Yourself and awake to my right And to my cause, my God and my Lord, Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me.”
It is a call for God to step in and render the verdict.
For God to step into the role as Judge
And put a stop to these malicious attackers.
It is what Paul had in mind when he wrote:
Romans 8:33 “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;”
David was here counting on that.
(25-26) “Do not let them say in their heart, “Aha, our desire!” Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up!” Let those be ashamed and humiliated altogether who rejoice at my distress; Let those be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves over me.”
Do you see those arrogant mockers who just know that
They have won in their plans to condemn David?
David asks God to stop them.
• Don’t let them rejoice in a successful plan.
• Don’t let them brag about how they toppled me.
• Shame them, humiliate them, make them lose.
Turn their corruption on their head.
Defend Your child.
And again, the result of God’s intervention:
(27-28) “Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; And let them say continually, “The LORD be magnified, Who delights in the prosperity of His servant.” And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness And Your praise all day long.”
Not only will I rejoice and praise You,
But so will all the righteous who are keenly observing this trial.
Your other children are watching closely to see if You will deliver.
When You do, they will also rejoice in praise when they see You intervene.
I will praise You continually, and so will they.
And so I hope you can see that
What we have here is
An imprecatory prayer for the glory of God.
Paul taught us:
Romans 12:19 “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.”
Is David doing that?
Yes
We understand that God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked and so neither do we.
However, we also do not take pleasure in the prosperity of the wicked.
• We also do not take pleasure in the successes of the wicked.
• We also do not take pleasure in the deceptive schemes of the wicked.
• We stand against them.
• We pray against them.
• We beseech God to intervene and show Himself mighty and holy and a justifier
of His people who are unjustly maligned.
WE PRAY FOR THAT
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”
But even more than that, I told you at the beginning that even more than our prayer or the prayer of David, THIS IS A PRAYER OF CHRIST.
No, it’s not recorded in the New Testament,
• Though we have no record of the words of His mouth at Gethsemane except that one brief prayer for God’s will to be done.
• We don’t know what He prayed as He was shifted from Annas to Caiaphas to Pilate to Herod and back to Pilate, though we are certain He was in constant prayer.
And so, I cannot give you the verse where Jesus prayed Psalms 35.
However, I can show you the very life of Jesus all through this Psalm.
In those first 10 verses, we called it A CALL FOR GOD’S CONTENTION.
Beside those first ten verses you can write:
THE BRUTAL ARREST OF JESUS
John 18:1-11 “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”
Matthew 26:55 “At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me.”
Luke 22:52-53 “Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? “While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”
Certainly we find NOTHING from Jesus there that speaks of REVENGE.
We even find Him willfully submitting to the Father’s plan.
He wasn’t fighting back, He wasn’t making threats.
1 Peter 2:22-23 “WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;”
As Jesus was being treated exactly like those first 10 verses describe,
All He was doing was trusting God.
We then looked at verses 11-21 which we called A CALL FOR GOD’S PERCEPTION.
And there wan write THE CORRUPT TRIAL OF JESUS
After He was arrested
He endured the most corrupt trial in the history of the world.
• Despite His innocence and the fact that He only ever did good for those who were attacking Him, Jesus was lynched.
According to Rabbinical Law,
• A trial could not be held at night. Nor could it be held in secret, it was a public affair
• Furthermore a trial could not be held during a feast
• A man could only be condemned upon the testimony of two credible witnesses.
• Furthermore if a man was condemned, the first person to strike the blow to the condemned had to be the person who first bore witness against him.
• Furthermore the accused could not be forced to testify against Himself. Even a detailed confession was not viewed as adequate evidence to condemn a man.
• 23 votes were cast in order determine a person’s fate. It took 13 votes to condemn, but only 11 to acquit And if all 23 voted to condemn the man was automatically acquitted since it was viewed that mercy was lacking and the court was flawed.
• When the votes were cast they voted in order of youngest to oldest so that the vote of the older did not influence the vote of the younger
• If a man was condemned, the law required that he could not be sentenced until the morning of the third day.
• And even after sentencing as the man was going to his punishment, if on the way he or anyone else remembered evidence that might deliver him, immediately the execution was stayed and the trial was re-opened.
• And if a man was condemned his property could not be seized, it passed to his heirs, in order to keep a man from being condemned for his possessions.
Jesus’ trial was a farce!
We could read from David again about the interrogation of the Prosecuting Attorney.
• We remember the sneers of Annas
• We remember the interrogation of Caiaphas
• We remember them bringing in their false witnesses and trying to force Jesus to condemn Himself.
Matthew 26:57-68 “Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome. Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, and said, “This man stated, ‘ I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.'” The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”
Beyond that, we remember them dragging Jesus to Pilate and even when Pilate wanted to release Him, we remember the blood-thirsty mob.
Luke 23:13-23 “Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. “No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. “Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” [Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.] But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!” (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, but they kept on calling out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!” And he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail.”
It was a brutal arrest and it was a sham trial.
Jesus had fallen prey to the evil devices of wicked men.
And then we came to verses 22-28 which we called; A CALL FOR GOD’S VINDICATION
And there you can write: THE SENTENCING OF JESUS
And we are reminded of Pilate seeking to wash his hands,
But ultimately giving Jesus over to be crucified.
And we remember the mocking and the high fives at the foot of the cross.
Matthew 27:24-31, 39-44 “When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, ” Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him…And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. “HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.”
You see there all the mocking and all the scorn that David described.
NOW – SOMEONE CAN SAY:
It’s true Jesus endured the same suffering that David described, but how can you say that Jesus prayed the same way that David prayed?
• We remember Jesus saying in John 12 that He would not pray to be saved
from this hour, but rather that God’s name would be glorified.
• We remember Jesus saying that He could call 10,000 angels, but He did not.
• We remember on the cross Jesus praying “Father forgive them…”
Those prayers are A FAR CRY FROM DAVID’S REQUEST
For God to contend, or to raise up His battle-axe and deliver.
And to that, we would have to agree.
JESUS DID NOT PRAY VINDICTIVELY ON BEHALF OF HIS OWN FATE.
He willingly submitted to the plan of the Father and endured the cross.
But can I read it again:
1 Peter 2:22-23 “WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;”
Do you see those words?
“kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously”
Is that not a reference to prayer and Jesus
Continually trusting His fate to the righteous Judge?
Can we not read Psalms 35:24 here?
“Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me”
Jesus wasn’t asking to skip the cross.
• He knew that to be the plan of God.
• But I have no problem understanding Jesus praying for final vindication.
VINDICATION WHICH GOD PROVIDED!
Acts 2:22-24, 32-36 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know — this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power…”This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.”‘ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ — this Jesus whom you crucified.”
One thing I am sure of is that
God granted this very prayer to Jesus.
No, God did not spare Him from the cross,
But God did vindicate Him by raising Him from the dead.
And what a message that proved to be for all His attackers.
Through the Resurrection
• God Shamed them
• God Stopped them
• God Scattered them
• God Made them slip
• God Shocked them
• God Snared them
Can you see that?
God saw and intervened.
God vindicated His Son.
And here we find our prayers as well.
These imprecatory Psalms are not prayers we use
For our own personal vendettas or even our own personal comfort.
They are prayers
• For the glory of God and the final vindication of His children.
• For darkness to fail and light to flourish.
• For wicked men to be stopped and the elect to be preserved.
• Against the schemes of the devil and the for the furtherance of the gospel.
When we pray
We voice our displeasure with the methods of the enemy
And we pray for his swift defeat.
WE WAR WHEN WE PRAY.
Jesus did.
Jesus does.
And it is high time the church re-enter this fight.
