"I will praise you forever for what you have done, in your name I will hope, for your name is good I will praise you in the presence of your saints." Psalm 52:9
Psalm 52 is inspired by a specific event in Old Testament history. Doeg an Edomite; betrayed David and killed God’s priests, over 80 of them and their town, its inhabitants, and animals. Doeg, though he was a hero as an effective assassin of Saul, and just because he was following orders, doesn’t exonerate him from responsibility of his overly thorough job. The first 7 verses of this short Psalm speak of Doeg’s boasting, deceit and consequence; the final two verses are David’s contrasting testimony that speaks of trusting God, praising Him, serving His name and giving God the glory.
We sometimes get caught up in the bragging or “tough guy talk” type of attitude and can justify or own violence or brutality (physical and verbal). Our actions at these times never are approved by God even though the world may think it is cool. Our reliance on street justice and our need for endorsement from others must be checked with God before we start acting out with reckless retribution or vigilante revenge. Even if power or authority says it is ok.
In essence, if you can’t stand before the assembly of saints (like the whole church for example) and boast about how the Lord used you in whatever way, then maybe you should question what you did, or have done, or are doing, and especially about what you plan to do. We could save a lot of pain and shame if we would run everything by God or somebody who is in touch with Him. How embarrassing that we would ever brag about our sin. God doesn’t deserve that, and nobody else needs to hear it. Doeg is promised for his ill gotten notorious act, not for any heroism, at all. Be careful what you do, say and how you respond to others sinful actions.
In Him, Pastor Fred
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