Prayer Journal
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
"Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts." Ps 28:3
David knew people who we today call "back stabbers" He may have known who his friends were, but I'm certain he learned of others who meant him harm even though they treated him kindly face to face.
Not everyone will someone what they're really thinking for fear it might place them or their family in jeopardy. I'm certain everyone outwardly pledged allegiance to king David, but only a faithful person told the king what they were actually thinking. Others would, in effect wink at David with kind words while they kept their bad feelings and/or intentions hidden inside.
The Lord revealed something similar in Isaiah 29:13: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Many years later, Jesus would reiterate those very words to the Pharisees and teachers of the law who approached him about violating the law when it came to ministering to people in need. But don't we have the same problem today?
Some folk walk past us and smile as if they're wishing us well. But many of these very people might be the first in line to gossip and assassinate our character later when we're not around. No doubt, people who gossip know when someone will defend your character, so they'll limit their words until everyone around them will listen to them and add other lies or half-truths.
Like wolves looking for someone to attack, malicious gossips are renown for destroying the character and reputation of those who can't defend themselves, smiling at them from afar while devouring them. Paul had many such people who attacked him and his ministry. Take Alexander the Metalworker for example. In 2 Timothy 4:14, Paul basically cursed him for the harm he did to Paul's work and the Gospel message. He openly asked God to repay Alexander with the same action he worked against Paul.
Maybe you've seen such hypocrisy by someone claiming to be a Christian. You aren't alone; it's happens to all of us. In fact, the problem is exacerbated in church by the reluctance of pastors and leaders to publicly air grievances, allowing some godly authority to mediate and judge what's right and what's wrong. Instead of putting the issue to rest and making people accountable for their words and actions, lies are allowed to simmer on the back burner until the damage is done and someone is irreparably harmed under the pretense of leaders promoting tolerance and unity.
To those who've been hurt like that by someone else, I offer this consolation: The Lord knows and will repay wrong doers for what they've done. As for you, take comfort for refusing to defend yourself against such wolves. You've have been counted worthy to suffer persecution. Jesus said anyone who follows Him will be likewise persecuted, while growing stronger with the knowledge that vengeance belong to God and forgiveness and patience belong to the saint.
Just Thinkin'... WebServant
Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
Copyright © 1998-2003
James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
All Rights Reserved
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers
* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans
* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself
