“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” So goes the old rhyme, but I’m sure you’ll know words can and do hurt. Words can be powerful and can be used to destroy someone. In 1 Samuel 22 we hear of Doeg’s awful betrayal of the priests who stood by David. Priests who provided the Lord’s anointed with bread and a sword, and inquired of the Lord for him.
Doeg’s malicious words led to the awful slaughter of the priests. Words can be powerful and used to bring great harm. In today’s world, we see Christians who stand by the Lord’s anointed (Jesus) facing destruction, in some countries where Christianity is illegal, people will report Christians to the authorities. In Pakistan, there have often been false allegations made against Christians claiming that they have burnt pages of the Quran. Words can be powerful and used to destroy those who want to stick with Jesus.
In Psalm 52 we see how David, and ultimately Jesus, feel about such people. David is so sad and angry about the injustice brought about by Doeg. Look what he says to him:
“Your tongue plots destruction…you love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right.” (Psalm 52:2-3)
No doubt some of what Doeg said was true, the priests did help David. But there is exaggeration, and twisting of words and the intent of it all is to bring down those who stood by the Lord’s anointed.
But David is not just sad and angry, he also warns those who oppose God’s people will face God’s justice. Look at v5 – “God will break you down forever”. There will be no place to hide for He will “snatch and tear you from your tent.”
Those who oppose the Lord’s anointed – (David at the time, but ultimately Jesus), will not get away with it.
Perhaps as we read these words, we wonder how they fit in with “love your enemies”?! Well notice who is bringing the justice. It is God. Christians do not need to take revenge, in fact we follow our King who in His earthly ministry prayed for the forgiveness of those who nailed him to the cross! But when he returns, He will punish all who have opposed Him and mistreated His people (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).
That surely helps Christians to love their enemies and to pray for those who persecute them, to feel compassion for them, because unless they repent, they will face the full force of God’s holy justice.
Look how different it is for David:
“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever.” (V8)
Even while he’s on the run, he’s confident of God’s loving kindness following him. He’ll wait for God’s deliverance and delight to be with those who want to go God’s way.
Jesus has won this blessing for all those who belong to Him, in Him, we can know the steadfast love of the Lord, and wait for the day when people recognise just how glorious He is.
So when you face hostility because you follow Jesus, it may hurt, but you don’t need to retaliate, instead you should feel compassion that such people will one day have to face God.
Light and Momentary Troubles 
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