An Object of Dread

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:

1        In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;

    let me never be put to shame;

    deliver me in your righteousness.

2        Turn your ear to me,

    come quickly to my rescue;

be my rock of refuge,

    a strong fortress to save me.

3        Since you are my rock and my fortress,

    for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

4        Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,

    for you are my refuge.

5        Into your hands I commit my spirit;

    deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.

6        I hate those who cling to worthless idols;

    as for me, I trust in the LORD.

7        I will be glad and rejoice in your love,

    for you saw my affliction

    and knew the anguish of my soul.

8        You have not given me into the hands of the enemy

    but have set my feet in a spacious place.

9        Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress;

    my eyes grow weak with sorrow,

    my soul and body with grief.

10      My life is consumed by anguish

    and my years by groaning;

my strength fails because of my affliction,

    and my bones grow weak.

11      Because of all my enemies,

    I am the utter contempt of my neighbors

and an object of dread to my closest friends—

    those who see me on the street flee from me.

12      I am forgotten as though I were dead;

    I have become like broken pottery.

13      For I hear many whispering,

    “Terror on every side!”

They conspire against me

    and plot to take my life.

14      But I trust in you, LORD;

    I say, “You are my God.”

15      My times are in your hands;

    deliver me from the hands of my enemies,

    from those who pursue me.

16      Let your face shine on your servant;

    save me in your unfailing love.

17      Let me not be put to shame, LORD,

    for I have cried out to you;

but let the wicked be put to shame

    and be silent in the realm of the dead.

18      Let their lying lips be silenced,

    for with pride and contempt

    they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

19      How abundant are the good things

    that you have stored up for those who fear you,

that you bestow in the sight of all,

    on those who take refuge in you.

20      In the shelter of your presence you hide them

    from all human intrigues;

you keep them safe in your dwelling

    from accusing tongues.

21      Praise be to the LORD,

    for he showed me the wonders of his love

    when I was in a city under siege.

22      In my alarm I said,

    “I am cut off from your sight!”

Yet you heard my cry for mercy

    when I called to you for help.

23      Love the LORD, all his faithful people!

    The LORD preserves those who are true to him,

    but the proud he pays back in full.

24      Be strong and take heart,

    all you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31, NIV)

REFLECTIONS:

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, David speaks of all his “enemies.” Even in our world today, we expect that we'll have at least a few enemies. We usually blow that off as no big deal. But, periodically our enemies are able to strike us with a blow that causes great pain to our lives. David continues describing his pain… “I am the utter contempt of my neighbors.” Now that hurts. “[I am] an object of dread to my closest friends.” That hurts even more. “Those who see me on the street 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? Well, 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 as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery” (verse 12). David wanted to be a vessel filled to overflowing, but instead he was now broken.

What should you do when people start slandering you? First, be sure your life is right. “My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak” (verse 10). David is saying, “Lord, if I’ve sinned, I’ll confess it.” Though it may be incredibly hard, when we are being slandered we should examine ourselves to see if there is any hidden, unclean way within us. Even more so, open our lives to God's examination (Psalm 139:23-24).

Second, trust in the Lord. “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God’” (verse 14). Rather than taking matters into your own hands, look to the Lord for help. Place your confidence in him. He will defend. He will set right. The Apostle Paul counseled:

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)

Lastly, 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.

WHO AM I?

I am Tres Sansom, and I know from firsthand experience that slander is an extremely powerful tool in the hands of our enemies. It causes great grief and heartache. It causes damage to our reputation. It's nearly impossible to overcome. It's a powerful weapon, indeed. But, when slandered, we can find solace in the fact that Jesus was slandered and falsely accused. His enemies despised him and sought to destroy him through their lies and accusations. But, even when slandered, he remained steadfast and silent. He didn't lash back with anger or retaliation. As a matter of fact, he prayed that his Father might forgive his accusers. As difficult as it may seem, we can look to Christ for comfort and strength and guidance in the midst of our slander-induced sorrow.