Psalm 35 is a raw account of the life of David in the midst of troubles. Many theologians believe this was a prophetic account of the life of Jesus and His earthly ministry. But I believe David was speaking these words in the midst of people trying to bring him down.
We’d love to think this doesn’t happen to Christians, but oh how wrong we would be. There’s always going to be scorners and mockers in our life, and to be honest, I believe God allows them to come our way to teach and refine our lives.
As a young lad, before David faced a giant, he had to face a mocker in his own brother. Eliab was there the day Samuel poured the oil of anointing on David’s head and witnessed the favor of God upon his life. Eliab’s snarky mocking of David’s righteous zeal came from a scorned heart. However, I believe it indeed allowed David to check his true motive, and proclaim, “Is there not a cause?”
The Eliab’s of life are necessary, in my opinion, because they allow us to look within, and make sure we are doing what we do for God’s purpose. When we know that we know, we are then able to rise above the mockers, scorners, and hypocrites, and declare The Lord is on my side. God is never on the side of a mocker….
I’ve learned over the years to simply do what I know to do, and allow God to fight my battles. When we feel the gnashing of teeth or the mocking of others, fret not thyself Child of God. The Lord is taking good notes. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” ~ Apostle Paul
When you look over the scope of Jesus’ life on earth, it was accompanied by scorners and mockers. He was often met with derision. Right in the very place, he was trying to minister. Therein lies a valuable lesson in the Kingdom of God…Ministry always has a price of ridicule and there will always be critics heralding their discontent. If Jesus Christ himself went through it, then we must buckle up and brace ourselves, because it’s coming our way as well.
Jesus walked the road of ridicule most everywhere He went, yet His model gives us the greatest blueprint on how to work in the Kingdom of God, and lead people in a rightful manner. He never allowed the voice of the critic to drown out the voice of God. He kept His focus on His mission, which was ultimately to seek and save the lost.
When Satan showed up and attempted to distract Him. He continued to proclaim the Word of God (which is the very breath of God). Then kept on being who He was born to be…A Saviour for ALL Mankind! Our critics and those who tend to mock our efforts only affect us if we allow them to. They only distract if we allow it…We must learn to keep our focus on the main mission, which is to do the work of the Lord. We must allow God to keep our spirits right, and allow Him to fight our battles…He will indeed fight for us. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. The tongue is a mighty weapon. Use it to defeat the works of satan, not each other.
Psalm 35:15-28 (KJV)
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up. Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.”
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