Let the proud be ashamed

Posted : 19 May, 2013 02:20 AM

Psalm 119:78 Let the proud be ashamed: for they dwelt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in Your

precepts.





The prophecy with which God Himself condescended to open

the history of the church, has ever since been in the course of

accomplishment. "Enmity between the seed of the serpent

and the seed of the woman," has been the prevailing

character and course of the world. "An unjust man is an

abomination to the just; and he who is upright in the way is

abomination to the wicked." David, however, prayed for the

confusion of his enemies-not in a vindictive spirit, as if thirsting

for their destruction; but as opening the way for his own more

free service of God, and as a chastening, that might

eventually turn to their salvation-"Fill their faces with shame,

that they may seek Your name, O Lord!" That his prayer was

the expression of his tender compassion, rather than of

resentful feeling, is sufficiently evident from his affectionate

weeping concern for their immortal interests. Prayers of the

same deprecating character dropped from the lips of the

gentle and compassionate Savior: while the objects of His

awful deprecations were interested in the most yearning

sympathies of His heart. A regard also for the honor of God

dictated this prayer. David knew that the malice of his

enemies against him was only the working of their enmity

against God; that it was not so much him that they hated and

persecuted, as God in him. And therefore as a servant of God he could appeal-"Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate You?

and am not I grieved at those that rise up against You? I hate

them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies." The

followers of a despised Savior must indeed expect to be

severely distressed with the perverseness of the proud. But

when, like their Master, they can testify that it is without a

cause, how cheering are their Master's words! "Blessed are

you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall

say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice,

and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven."

And have you, reader, been exercised with trials from an

ungodly world? Has the derision of the proud, or the slight or

ill-treatment of the ungodly, never excited revengeful feelings

within? Have you always been enabled to set your Savior's

example before you, and "in patience possessing your soul,"

to refer your cause to your Almighty Friend? "O Lord, I am

oppressed, undertake for me." Remember, He has engaged

to take up your cause-"Shall not God avenge His own elect,

which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with

them?-I tell you that He will avenge them speedily."

But learn in the hour of trial where to go, and what to do. Go

to the word of God for direction and support. Meditate in His

precepts. There is often a hurry of mind in times of difficulty,

which unhinges the soul from the simple exercise of faith. But

habit brings practice, and steadiness, and simplicity, enabling

us most sweetly to fix our hearts upon the word of God, and to

apply its directions and encouragements to the present

exigency. Our enemies fight against us with an arm of flesh.

We resist them with the armor of the word of God. And how

inestimably precious is the armor, refuge, strength, and

consolation, here provided for us against every effort to

disturb our peace, "or separate our hearts from the love of

God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord!"



by

Charles Bridges

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