“Erase their names from the Book of Life; don’t let them be counted among the righteous.” Verse 28. Can you imagine being so hurt and angry that you wished this on fellow believers? Listen to how David described his situation.
- Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me. I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen and weeping, waiting for my God to help me.
- I endure insults for Your sake, humiliation is written all over my face. Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me; they treat me like a stranger.
- Passion for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. When I weep and fast, they scoff at me. When I dress in burlap to show sorrow, they make fun of me. I am the favorite topic of town gossip, and all the drunks sing about me.
- You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace. You see all that my enemies are doing. Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst.
Most of us have faced or will face situations in life that make us feel like God has abandoned us and our friends have turned on us: broken marriages, business failures, church splits, financial catastrophes; the situations are innumerable. So how do we handle them in our despair?
David had the right answer, but it took time for God’s purpose to be fulfilled, and sometimes it is better to let God’s word speak to us. “But I keep praying to you, Lord, hoping this time you will show favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with sure salvation. . .I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by Your saving power. Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor Him with thanksgiving. For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves. . .Praise Him, O heavens and earth, the seas and all that move in them. For God will save Jerusalem and rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there and settle in their own land. The descendants of those who obey Him will inherit the land, and those who love Him will live there in safety.”
In Romans 8:28-30, Paul wrote, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them He gave them right standing with Himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory.”