There are times when the whole world seemed to have gathered to slander us, to persecute us or just to try to discourage us. My brother, my sister, in such times, all we want is to see our Lord standing up for us against those who are hurting us. Now, when we read this Psalm, we learn that, in such circumstances, the proper response is actually prayer, not revenge, because God says “I will take revenge, I will pay them back” (Romans 12:19). But this Psalm also brings us to another level , as it shows us that it is important for us to have a pure heart before going to the Lord to ask Him for justice or protection. You see, many people ask the Lord for justice or protection every day, while they themselves are being reproached things by others. Listen to David approaching the Lord here, right after hahing asked Him to protect and rescue Him (verses 1-2): “Lord my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands- if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe – then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust” (verses 3-5). You see, my friend, don’t ask the Lord for protection or justice without examining yourself or repenting first. Because God looks deep within our mind and heart and nothing is hidden from Him, and it is what He finds within you that will make Him stand up for you or let you wait. Let’s learn to mirror our motives in the light of the Word, to ensure that our requests of justice or protection are valid before the Lord, for He is willing to protect and rescue us… so it pretty much depends on our own attitudes, our own doings. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name. [facebook] [retweet]