11 Malicious witnesses testify against me.
They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good.
I am sick with despair.
13 Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them.
I denied myself by fasting for them,
but my prayers returned unanswered.
14 I was sad, as though they were my friends or family,
as if I were grieving for my own mother.
Look at verses 11-14. How would you feel if this was happening to you?
How are verses 13-14 similar to the "Beattitudes" in Matthew 5:3-12?
15 But they are glad now that I am in trouble;
they gleefully join together against me.
I am attacked by people I don’t even know;
they slander me constantly.
16 They mock me and call me names;
they snarl at me.
17 How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing?
Rescue me from their fierce attacks.
Protect my life from these lions!
18 Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly.
I will praise you before all the people. NLT
Have you ever been in a situation like David's in verses 15-16? What was that like for you?
In what ways is verse 17 a prayer of someone who deeply believes in God?
What does David look forward to in verse 18? What makes David's vision an important part of his prayer? What does he reveal about the nature of his faith?
::::: EQUIPPING CHALLENGE :::::
Two part challenge today:
1. When you are being hurt by the words of others, how could these verses strengthen you?
2. How could these verses help you be a champion for others who are being wronged?
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