In the Comfort of His Arms

“This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.” Psalm 35:22

There is nothing that goes on that the LORD doesn’t know about.  He is the Creator of everything, He is omniscient. The affairs of His creation are constantly before Him, and this means you.  “Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand:” (Psalm 10:14a). “This thou hast seen, O LORD”

It is the desire of the child of GOD to hear the voice of GOD especially when they are in distress.  We see GOD’s voice in the action He takes on our behalf. This action revives the heart and keeps us in the comfort of His arms. “keep not silence: O LORD” 

The distance between the LORD and the child of GOD is impossible to calculate.  The child of GOD is constantly in His presence.  “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:16-17). Our sin can keep our fellowship from being what it should be, but the believer will never escape the presence of the LORD! “be not far from me.”

I’m in Your presence at all times,

Even when the sorrows of life prevail.

I can’t escape Your love that is before me.

Even when in my sin I fail.

I’m so thankful I have a GOD that loves me.

No matter what the hard times bring.

His promise is, “never to leave me”

And for this shall my heart sing.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

Large Mouths with Small Brains

“Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.” Psalm 35:21

Let's look at those that bring false accusations against GOD’s people. They have large mouths with small brains. They stand on roof tops with their mouths opened wider than thought possible broadcasting hateful untruths against the children of GOD.  Their hateful obscenities tear at the hearts of those whose only purpose is to bring them the peace of GOD! “Yea, they opened their mouth wide”

Even though it hurts, it’s always easier when these serpents of satan are attacking someone else but when it is you, how do you react?  Do you fire back with the same intensity as they do?  Do you put on the same face of hate or is your heart brought to the higher plain of love?  These poor fools have no idea of what the peace of GOD is and it takes someone who is able to put themselves to the side and show them the love of JESUS.  If you are a believer, that’s you. “against me”

They claim to be eye witnesses to their declaration of defamation hoping it will bring credence to their slander.  They poke fun and give eye service to the target of their hate. In the end their words will be voided by CHRIST, who has promised “never to leave or forsake”. “Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.”

When attacked by those that falsely accuse.

It can make you feel so empty.

But I’ll turn to the SAVIOR whom I love

And won’t allow them to tempt me.

After all it’s for the souls of men 

that JESUS lived and died for.

I’ll forget their hate and give them love,

And let JESUS settle the score.

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9

The Prince of Peace

“For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.” Psalm 35:20 

The opposite of a “peace maker” is a “trouble maker” and unfortunately there are more “trouble makers” that there are “peace makers”.  You will never find a “peace maker” that doesn’t have “trouble makers” close around them. “For they speak not peace:”

“Trouble makers” are driven by hate while “peacemakers” are driven by love. The words of the “trouble maker” mock the words of the “peace maker”.  The “trouble maker” continually makes plans to cause the “peace maker” trouble and if the “peace maker” isn’t careful they will fall into the pit the “trouble maker” has prepared for them. “but they devise deceitful matters against them”

The “trouble maker” has the ability to change a once tranquil state into a state of unrest and confusion but the “peace maker” that stays close to the “Prince of Peace” will stop the mouths of fools and make pleasant the place they dwell. “that are quiet in the land.”

The best answer 

For the fools rash words.

Is to use sweet speech

Instead of harsh verbs.

You’ll never win them

If you retweet.

Just give them JESUS

And make them sweet.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

When Taunts Come

“Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.” Psalm 35:19 

It is hard to find anything that causes more pain than the pain of someone unjustifiably rejoicing over you, especially when the situation you are in is for a good cause.  The heart grows faint, your spirit falls into a state you don’t want to be in and unless you give it to GOD you will remain defeated. “Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me:”

While tools of destruction can kill the body, the satisfied look of the opposition can kill the spirit.  It is as if your bitter circumstance brings them joy, a gleeful joy that tears at the soul. “neither let them wink with the eye”

In David’s case he was trying to do good to those that opposed him and when he hit a pitfall or was slandered, they took great pleasure in it.  Don’t be surprised when it happens to you, because it will.  Remember it was the very ones David loved and cared for that were the culprits. This is why it cuts so deep to the soul. “that hate me without a cause.”

My heart feels faint, I was in pain.

Their rejoicing hurt me so.

But listen, my dear friend.

JESUS is the only place to go.

He’ll take the pain and wipe it away.

He’ll grant you grace and peace.

He’ll remove the tear from your cheek,

And all your pain will cease.

“But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.” 2 Chronicles 36:16

Be a Big Mouth

“I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.” Psalm 35:18

David isn’t trying to make a deal with the LORD.  He was confident GOD was going to rescue him from his trial and is anticipating his response for it.  I don’t believe David doubted for a moment that  GOD wasn’t going to come to his aid.  This is what made him “a man after GOD’s own heart.” “I will give thee thanks”

His praise for GOD’s goodness will be brought before “the great congregation”, to all the people of GOD, that all might be renewed in their hearts by the mercies of GOD.

He will take his declaration to all the people of the world, that all might hear of the wonderful grace of GOD and desire the LORD for themselves. “I will praise thee among much people.”

I have been asked, why I keep speaking of GOD’ grace.

My answer to you is, I must share Christ's embrace.

He loved me when I was unlovable, to all.

My future was bleak, I had no hope at all.

I was corrupted with sin, amoral and sad.

He died for me, and I had nothing to add.

So my words must keep flowing of Christ’s marvelous grace.

For now and forever, through eternity and space.

Thank you JESUS!

“Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.” Luke 8:39

Comfort is Coming

“Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.” Psalm35:17

Oh how many times I have asked this question and I’m sure it is the same for you. I would like to give you an astounding theological answer but I’m not a theologian nor do I claim to have an understanding as to why at times GOD makes us wait, but He does.  Remember, Job’s troubles were not instantly over so we shouldn’t suppose ours will.  The one thought I do have is this, GOD is not governed by time, He is out of it.  So in reality GOD always answers instantly.  “Lord, how long wilt thou look on?

David never doubted that GOD wasn’t going to answer and deliver him, he just wanted it done right away, so his troubles would end.  Faith keeps the believer going.  Knowing the promise that our LORD said He would never leave or forsake us gives us the power to have patients and wait upon Him for deliverance. “rescue my soul from their destructions”

How precious our lives are to us.  David uses the expression, “My Darling” when speaking of himself. Our desire is to be free from troubles, free from the tormentors of our souls but my friend there is no way to sugar coat what we were promised.  “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15:18-19

Oh, Comfort is coming,

You can be sure peace will arrive.

Your GOD, He hasn’t forgotten.

He is ready, He’s alive!

In power you will see Him!

His strength He will make known!

Never fret or worry,

If you are one of His own.

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:26-27

It’s Going To Happen

“With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.” Psalm 35:16

Here is a picture of the actions of the enemies of David.  A picture that unfortunately describes all the enemies of the children of GOD.  They are like a group of barbarians in a drunken feast.  There is no control in what they say and do.  They yell out false accusations while their half chewed food falls from their mouths. “With hypocritical mockers in feasts”

The words they speak are like the teeth of a lion gnashing upon him.  They are like rabid dogs foaming at the mouth, out of control, and out of touch with any reality at all.  They are on a mission of hate, with your destruction as their goal. “they gnashed upon me with their teeth.”

Now lets apply this to our day and to those of us that are believers.  What David was up against will be the same for us.  Don’t act surprised when you are criticized and ridiculed.  Don’t be shocked when those you love turn against you.  As sure as you are taking your next breath, it will happen. JESUS told you it would.  Let us not get into a pity party. The only way it should get us down, is down on our knees in prayer and thanksgiving the LORD has counted us worthy. What we experience in nothing compared to what our wonderful SAVIOR has already done for us!

They were like  scorpions with brutal bites.

Their words were piercing to my soul.

Filled with hate and condemnation.

My destruction, their only goal.

But what they do it can not hurt me.

For unto my LORD they did the same.

He overcame and He has risen.

I place my trust in His dear name.

“And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Mark 13:10-13

Love Always Wins

“But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:” Psalm 35:15

Because we love our enemies and pray for them doesn’t mean we should expect always to see a change in them.  At the same time it doesn’t mean GOD isn’t answering our prayers and honoring our love.  We must understand while He deals with our enemies He is also doing a work in us. “But in mine adversity they rejoiced” 

They, “gathered themselves together” in groups, they come after you.  Collectively they bring you more heartache, but “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

They bring lies about you that you know nothing of. You wonder, ‘where did that come from?’ “I knew it not”

They are relentless in their persecution, there seems to be no end to their harassment. Take heart my friend, “God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)  “they did tear me, and ceased not:” 

We must never quit, we must continuing to pray and love the enemies of our live no matter how difficult it is. This is the second great commandment!  “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:39)

I’ll keep praying, no matter the cost.

Even when my enemy comes like a wasp.

Their sting may cause some temporary pain,

But I’ll just keep praying, in JESUS name.

The victory is mine, because love always wins.

I’ll pray for their lives and for the covering of their sins.

In JESUS Name…

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4