Post by Betty on Mar 6, 2008 6:21:19 GMT -5
Like a Leper
Author: Warren Wiersbe
Devotion: Psalms
Scripture References: Psalm 31:9-13
____________________________________________________________ Title: Like a Leper
Read Psalm 31:9-13
We can't help what others do and say. We can help
only what we do. When others start talking about
us or fighting against us, we may not be able to
control that. It's difficult when people start to
slander the righteous. But this is what David had
to endure. In verse 11 we read, "I am a reproach
among all my enemies." We expect that. "But
especially among my neighbors." Now that hurts.
"And am repulsive to my acquaintances." That
hurts even more. "Those who see me outside flee
from me." Can you imagine your neighbors and your
acquaintances running away from you as if you
were a leper? What was causing all of this for David? Saul was
lying about him. He was telling his assistants
and officers, "David said this. David did that."
And this gossip, this awful slander, was
spreading through the nation, and David was
suffering. "I am forgotten like a dead man, out
of mind; I am like a broken vessel" (v. 12)
.David wanted to be a vessel filled too
verflowing, but now he was broken.
What should you do when people start slandering
you? First, be sure your life is right. "For my
life is spent with grief, and my years with
sighing; my strength fails because of my
iniquity, and my bones waste away" (v. 10).
Davidi s saying, "Lord, if I've sinned, I'll confess
it." Second, trust in the Lord. "But as for me, I
trust in You, O Lord;
I say, 'You are my God.' "(v. 14).
Third, remember that others have gone
through this. You're not experiencing something
unique. Everyone who has done anything for the
Lord has been slandered, ridiculed,
criticized--including the perfect Son of God
.Don't listen to the slander of the enemy; listen
to the Word of God. Get close to His heart, and
you'll have His help when you suffer
misunderstanding. When someone
falsely accuses you, take comfort in
knowing that others have gone through the
difficulty of slander. Then look to the Lord, for
He is your Strength and Salvation. Use this
difficult experience to examine your own heart
and draw closer to Him.____________________________________________________________
Author: Warren Wiersbe
Devotion: Psalms
Scripture References: Psalm 31:9-13
____________________________________________________________ Title: Like a Leper
Read Psalm 31:9-13
We can't help what others do and say. We can help
only what we do. When others start talking about
us or fighting against us, we may not be able to
control that. It's difficult when people start to
slander the righteous. But this is what David had
to endure. In verse 11 we read, "I am a reproach
among all my enemies." We expect that. "But
especially among my neighbors." Now that hurts.
"And am repulsive to my acquaintances." That
hurts even more. "Those who see me outside flee
from me." Can you imagine your neighbors and your
acquaintances running away from you as if you
were a leper? What was causing all of this for David? Saul was
lying about him. He was telling his assistants
and officers, "David said this. David did that."
And this gossip, this awful slander, was
spreading through the nation, and David was
suffering. "I am forgotten like a dead man, out
of mind; I am like a broken vessel" (v. 12)
.David wanted to be a vessel filled too
verflowing, but now he was broken.
What should you do when people start slandering
you? First, be sure your life is right. "For my
life is spent with grief, and my years with
sighing; my strength fails because of my
iniquity, and my bones waste away" (v. 10).
Davidi s saying, "Lord, if I've sinned, I'll confess
it." Second, trust in the Lord. "But as for me, I
trust in You, O Lord;
I say, 'You are my God.' "(v. 14).
Third, remember that others have gone
through this. You're not experiencing something
unique. Everyone who has done anything for the
Lord has been slandered, ridiculed,
criticized--including the perfect Son of God
.Don't listen to the slander of the enemy; listen
to the Word of God. Get close to His heart, and
you'll have His help when you suffer
misunderstanding. When someone
falsely accuses you, take comfort in
knowing that others have gone through the
difficulty of slander. Then look to the Lord, for
He is your Strength and Salvation. Use this
difficult experience to examine your own heart
and draw closer to Him.____________________________________________________________
