Contemplative Bible Reading

Psalm 3:7-8 (New Living Translation)

7 Arise, O Lord!
Rescue me, my God!
Slap all my enemies in the face!
Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
8 Victory comes from you, O Lord.
May you bless your people.

These words are from David. He is fleeing from his son Absalom in a short but cruel civil war. David asks God for relief from his enemies.

David asks that God shatters the teeth of his enemies. Ouch. That hurts and in the days without all this dentistry we have today, it hurts everyday the rest of your life. Yet, here it is, David asking God to hurt his enemies and have them suffer everyday of their lives. Uh, kind of cruel, huh? I mean, where is some compassion and forgiveness?

David knew about compassion and forgiveness. He had exercised those godly qualities many times in his life, but not now. Now David wanted revenge. A man after God’s own heart wanted God to shatter the teeth of his enemies.

I am not hurting as David was hurting in those days. I am not as tired as David was in those days. Yet, there are days when I want other folks to suffer and … well, let’s not mention all that. Why do we (at least David and I) wish such suffering on other people? We are an odd lot. God, however, still loves us and forgives us. How does God tolerate me? Thank you God. Please help me in my unbelief.