BATTERED FAITH

Text: Psalms 9: 11-20

Indeed, David's faith looks battered in this second half of the Psalm. However, his conclusion  shows us that even though he is buffeted on every side, his hope is anchored on a better faith; a faith with tremendous and marvelous assurances. 

Yesterday, the Psalm began by the psalmist declaring that he will praise the lord with all his heart. Today, he is making a demand for all to join in this praise and worship. He says in verses 11-12

sing praises to the lord enthroned in Zion , proclaim to the nations what he has done

And what has he done?

*He avenges blood

*He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted

*he judges righteously

* He does not forget the needy

*He preserves the hope of the afflicted

What a compassionate God we serve. He takes  care of the smallest details of our lives. Beloved, these wonderful declarations of David is recorded to assure us that it is futile to try to play God. Vengeance is mine says the Lord. When we are angry and bitter over people that abuse us, manipulate us, oppress us, deny our rights, frustrate our efforts, use and dump us,  the lord gives us chance to fight our battles by ourselves and it is never possible instead we alienate ourselves more and more from God. 

 

These afflictions and unpleasant circumstances will always be there to challenge, crush and batter our faith.  However, we must not fail to keep in mind that the real persecutors are behind the scene. The story of the mad man of the Gaderens speaks a lot about this. People who haven't allowed Christ to reign in their lives are easy captives of Satan. They will always remain a thorn in the flesh of believers. Everything is aimed to batter our faith and get us discouraged. Sometimes we fall prey to this deception and remove our eyes from the unfailing promises of God. This makes us to leave the real enemies and begin to attack and hate our fellow men for whom also Christ died.

The better faith we received speaks of the afflicted having an assurance of deliverance. The hopeless receiving hope and the downtrodden remembered. It promotes peace, forgiveness and love. It is faith built on the foundation of the shed blood of the lamb to forestall oppression of the wicked kingdom of darkness. It is a faith that brings salvation and freedom. 

Interestingly,  this freedom goes beyond the physical. It is freedom from the natural emotions of vengeance. It births a transformation from the inside out making us bold, holy and loving both to the good, the bad and the ugly. It does not show off but rather  makes the world see the great and marvelous beauty of the efficacious faith that saves. Faith in Jesus is the better faith.