Psalm 35, part 3: Prayer for the Persecuted Church-Supplication through the Scriptures

Psalm 35, part 3

Here is comfort, our Heavenly Father knows all our sorrows.

C.H. Spurgeon

Our God is a delivering God. The Scriptures recount many ways in which God rescued His people, coming to their aid as their strong deliverer. In 1 Samuel 19, David faces death several times in the chapter, and each time God helps him to escape. 

First, Saul orders his men to kill David. Jonathan, Saul’s son, is a beloved friend of David’s, and so he warns David of the danger and then Jonathan persuades his father to not continue to pursue David, and “Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan” (19:6). 

Later, after David has defeated the Philistines, an evil spirit comes upon Saul and he tries to kill David with his spear, but David “slipped away out of Saul’s presence…and David fled and escaped that night” (19:10).

Then Saul sets an ambush to catch David at his home. But his wife, Saul’s daughter, covers for David and again David is able to flee and escape (19:18).

When Saul finds out where David has fled to, he sends messengers to take him, but the Spirit of God comes upon them, and instead of taking David they begin to prophesy (19:20-21). This happens not once but three times! Three times Saul’s messengers are overcome by the Spirit, and Saul’s plans for David’s life are thwarted.

Finally, Saul himself goes to take David, but the Spirit comes upon him and he too prophesies instead of carrying out his evil intentions (19:23). 

David experienced the delivering hand of God over and over. This gives us confidence that God concerns Himself with the plight of His people. And the evil intentions of the wicked can be overcome in a myriad ways. Let’s pray that whatever dangers are arising against God’s church throughout the world, the Lord would bring about their deliverance in His amazing, and creative ways.

Against the Lord’s People Without Cause

35:19-21 Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause. For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they devise words of deceit. They open wide their mouths against me; they say, "Aha, Aha! Our eyes have seen it!" 

Let’s pray:

▫️The Lord would not allow the plans of His foes to succeed, so that they would not have any reason for rejoicing over His people. 

▫️If there are lying witnesses against God’s people, their lies would be overcome by the truth. The treachery of the enemies of God’s people would be defeated.

▫️Yahweh-Shalom, the Lord is peace, would protect the peace and tranquility of His people or restore their rest and quiet living if they have been harassed.

▫️While God’s enemies are devising words of deceit, His people would speak truth, peace, and edifying words, even to their enemies.

▫️Because our Lord sees the affliction of His people, gives heed to their cry, and is aware of their sufferings, He would arise quickly to their aid (Exodus 3:7).

Vindicate, O Lord

35:22-26 You have seen, O Lord; be not silent! O Lord, be not far from me! Awake and rouse yourself for my vindication, for my cause, my God and my Lord! Vindicate me, O Lord, my God, according to your righteousness, and let them not rejoice over me! Let them not say in their hearts, "Aha, our heart's desire!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up." Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether who rejoice at my calamity! Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me! 

Let’s pray:

▫️The Lord would be near His people in their affliction and would hasten to their assistance (Psalm 22:19).

▫️His people would cry to Him day and night, and He would act on their behalf and bring about justice for His persecuted church.

▫️The Lord would be their vindicator and their vengeance toward those who are seeking their lives to harm them.

▫️God’s people would not feel “swallowed up” in this time of unrest. God would rise up and deliver them from fear, harassment, confiscation of their property, harassment of their family, threat of death or imprisonment, or being ostracized in their community.

▫️God would cause the enemies of His people shame, reproach, and disappointment because they are rejoicing in the calamity of His chosen people, His royal priesthood, His holy nation, His own special people.

Shout For Joy

35:27-28 Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, "Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!" Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.

Let’s pray:

▫️God would bring about a great victory and triumph for His people causing them to shout for joy and be filled with gladness.

▫️God’s people would trust Him implicitly, knowing that He is our wise and Sovereign Lord.

▫️God’s people would delight in the vindication of His persecuted church and we would all rejoice together saying, “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of His servant!”

▫️We would pray confidently knowing the Lord takes pleasure in His people, and beautifies the afflicted ones with salvation (Psalm 149:4). 

▫️The tongues of His people would tell of His righteousness and His praise all day long, to ourselves and to others as we go about our day.

May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The day is coming when shouts of victory shall be raised by all who are on Christ’s side, for the battle will turn and the foes of truth will be routed.

Charles Spurgeon

Psalm 35:19-28 quoted from the ESV.

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