Psalm 140
Preserve Me from Violent Men!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, September 18.
There are violent people, driven by evil desires, willing to do whatever to whomever to achieve their ends. How are we to go about our daily lives with such people in the world? Above all, we can’t live in fear of them! In 2001, I was a Captain in the US Army, on orders to Fort Carson, Colorado when the terrorist attacks of 9/11 happened. I was supposed to travel home that day, but it took days before flights resumed because evil had shut down our nation. A week later, President Bush announced to Congress the War on Terrorism.
Whenever you are anxious for the future or worried about tomorrow, take your emotions as an invitation from the Holy Spirit to petition God for His peace to protect you, as Paul said, “to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). God wants you to trust Him in every circumstance of life, whether in times of peace or war. In Psalm 140, David was opposed by violent men, and the first action step in his plan was to petition God for divine help:
- Verse 1, “Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men…”
- Verse 4, “Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men who have purposed to trip up my feet.”
In both instances, David asked God to preserve his life when violent man came up against him. He did not take matters into his own hands; rather, David turned to God for protection. Just as Paul taught in Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” In seeking to defeat evil, don’t become like it. Train yourself to respond in faith!
Seize the moment and pray Psalm 140, meditating upon Jesus’ promise to give you His peace – “Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
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