In the past, when I have read Psalms such as Ps 140 and 141, I’ve asked myself, “Self, what does this have to do with you? It’s good to see David’s struggles and groanings as he sought the Lord’s protection, but they don’t apply to me. I don’t have armies or evil men chasing me!” Or do I?
Actually, all Believers in Yeshua do! This hit me between the eyes this morning during my devotions. In Ps 140, David is asking for protection from wicked and violent men. At this time in history, we in the USA have evil and wicked men and women who plan to harm us. They spend their time planning and stirring up conflict (Ps 140:1-2). These people are inside and outside of our government. I submit that they have fallen under the spell of the antichrist spirit. Not the antichrist himself, but a spirit that is anti-God. This spirit wants to suppress Yeshua-followers and destroy America as it was originally founded to be–a nation that honors the Creator of the Universe.
These people may believe that what they are trying to accomplish is best. But they are blinded by their lust for power and control. How do we know that they have sold out to the anti-Christ spirit, even if unwittingly? Because they have announced plans to take action and implement laws and practices that are in direct opposition to the Word of God. These people are not just inside our government. Some of them may live next door to you. Your neighbor(s) may not be in “power,” so to speak, but they support the actions of those who are, or who think that they are, but we know that HaShem is really in control.
Now, I am confident that HaShem will protect His people, but let’s stop and pray together with David:
Father, we ask that You will not let these people have their way (Ps 140-6-9). However, Father, we cannot ask with David that You throw them into the literal fire and into bottomless pits from which they cannot escape (Ps 140:10-11). Instead, we ask that You do whatever is necessary to thwart their plans. I also ask that, in the process, they will truly find Yeshua as Savior, give Him control of their lives, turn from their wicked, revengeful ways, and become instruments of healing in our land.
Father, we must also ask You to open the eyes and hearts of many true Yeshua-followers who are not responding in love to either their fellow believers or to those who plan to harm us and our country. Apparently, they have forgotten Yeshua’s command to love their neighbors as themselves because they are striking out verbally and physically in anger and revenge. If I have been guilty, I repent of my sin and pray that they will also repent of their sin. Help all of us to stand and act peacefully but boldly in love for Right. With Your help, mercy, and grace, this country will be turned back onto the correct path. Let all of us who call upon the name of Yeshua (that’s you and me) put Him first above even our political alliances.
Father, we echo David’s cry in Ps 141 and ask You to accept our prayers, guard our mouths, and give us the clarity of thought as only You can. May only Your words come out of our mouths and may we not have evil desires or respond in kind to those who desire to harm us. We desire that our words and actions will be a witness against their plans (Ps 141:5). Please provide Your protection from their snares (Ps 141:9). May we never surrender to them but demonstrate Your love rather than succumbing to their ways and tactics.
In the name of Yeshua, we pray.
Until next time…”May the LORD bless and protect you…May He give you Shalom.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Bill
WJB's Turn 