If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. (Psalm 139:19-20
David is so passionate about the things of God that he declares that even God’s enemies are his enemies. He wants nothing to do with those who stand against God or use His name in vain. He wants to align himself with people who take seriously who God is and give reverence to His name. David was simply pledging his loyalty to the Lord. He knew how awesome God was and he couldn’t bear the thought of someone misusing, misrepresenting, or mishandling the name of God.
Do you treat God like He is All-Holy? Do you have reverence for His name? Do you cringe when someone misuses the name of the Lord?
I can tell you this… There are times that I’m out with a friend at Starbucks and I hear God’s name used in an unholy way. I have had to change my seat many times to avoid hearing my God misrepresented and mishandled. It seriously hurts me down deep inside. Not because I’m any holier than anyone else, but because I have experienced the amazing work of God. I’ve experienced His faithfulness in my life. His name leaves me in awe! Does it leave you in awe? How have you represented God this week?
“Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.” (Psalm 139:21-22)
David refused and rejected those who rose up against God. He was a soldier. A man who faced many battles for the Lord. He was very loyal to God and wanted to defend God’s honor. We show honor to God by rejecting or refusing to fellowship with those who do not do the same. Like a son would stand up for his father, so we too stand up for God. We are loyal and find ourselves defending God’s honor.
This does not mean that we do not have fellowship with those who need to know the saving power of Jesus sacrifice. It simply means to be wise in our interactions, make sure that you spend time with people who encourage you and lift you up in the things of God… So that you can be refreshed and strengthened to face those who don’t. David simply shows us that we can not be neutral when it comes to the things of God. We must take a firm stand!
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
David ends this Psalm with a prayer. He asks God to search his heart for any motive that does not line up to God’s Truth. He wants God to find if there is any offensive way in him. He truly wants to be obedient to the things of God and have a heart that is pure before the Lord. These two verses are a good prayer to pray every day. May we continue to go to the Lord and ask Him to search our hearts. May we desire His leading in our lives and turn from anything that keeps us from being fully devoted to the Lord.
Dear God, Please search my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. Examine my ways and teach me how to walk in the fullness of Your love. I plead with You to find any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. May I run after the things of You and empty myself daily of the things that are not honoring to You.
Serving an All-Holy God,
