The Last Word
Today's Verse:
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. ~Psalm 64:1
There is an old children’s rhyme that says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words shall never hurt me.” However, for most of us, this is probably wishful thinking. Most of us are affected by the words of others. We are encouraged and happy when someone praises us, but we become discouraged, sullen, and withdrawn when we are criticized, attacked, torn down, and threatened. Words do affect us. For many Christians, criticism is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. They lose confidence and sadly allow these words to decimate their walk with God. This morning, let’s see how we should respond to criticism, harsh words, verbal attack, character assassination, and scornful barrages. Let’s see how in the midst of all this, God has the last word for those who trust in Him.
There is the harmful defamation.
David expresses his fear and frustration of being verbally attacked. His character has been defamed. His person has been reduced to dirt. He speaks of the words that are spoken in secret against him. He refers to these words as bitter words. He speaks of their tongues resembling swords that are drawn and as bows ready to shoot the arrow. The attacks are non-stop. The criticisms are intensifying. These are people out to destroy him. Their hearts are filled and overflowing with malice towards him. They are looking for flaws, faults, sins, and things to attack about you. He blatantly calls them workers of iniquity. There will always be people who completely dislike you because they disrespect you and they see you as a threat to their agenda. They can be harsh, hateful, and harmful. All of us must accept the reality that the words that the adversary shoots at us are with the intent of hurting us.
There is the helpful defense.
“But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.” I love those two precious words “But God.” God is the difference-maker. In the nick of time, God intervenes. When our circumstance has the best of us, it is God Who arises on our behalf. David felt like there was no recourse until God showed Himself strong. The adversaries have arrows, but God’s arrows are more powerful. You see, God defends His own. God takes aim and with His arrows, He makes a precise hit. The persecutors with words are wounded by the arrows of God. Their own words come back and hurt them. God makes very clear through His intervention that He gets the last word in for His people. Wait on God. Let God fight for you. Give your situation to the Lord, and let Him defend you.
There is the happy determination.
When God fights for us, He alone gets the glory. All those who witness God’s intervention for His people wisely consider His doing. They think twice before trying to hurt God’s people. Then, notice how our mourning is turned into gladness. We will be glad that we did not take matters into our own hands. We will be glad that we let God fight for us. Then, notice how our faith is bolstered. The righteous shall trust in Him. It is imperative that we trust in God completely when the attack is on. There is one more thing: the upright in heart shall glory. They will glory in the reality of God’s love and protection.
God always has the last word, even in our difficult circumstances. Trust in Him at times, ye people; pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us.
Have a courageous God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 18-20