Inspired by Psalm 35:8, our daily devotional of “Let Destruction Overtake Them, is intended to remind us of the power of prayer and the importance of seeking justice for those who do not want us to succeed.
We’ll look at how we can rely on God in difficult circumstances and believe in His justice even when we may feel helpless.
Let’s get started!
» Monday, 20th March 2023 | I Stand In The Gap Daily Devotional | Putting on the Whole Armor of God
Yesterday’s daily devotional theme was “Putting on the Whole Armor of God“ and today’s is about “Let Destruction Overtake Them“.
Anchor verse of the day
Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly,
Psalm 35:8 (NKJV)
And let his net that he has hidden catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall.
This anchor verse of Psalm 35: 8 is a call for bringing one’s foes to justice. The psalmist is pleading with God to allow their enemy’s planned devastation and ruin to be directed back at them.
The metaphor of a secret net catching the opponent conveys the sense that the opposition’s strategy is cunningly concealed and that they will ultimately fall victim to their own trap.
Themes in Psalm 35:8
- Prayer for Justice: The psalmist is pleading with God to resolve their plight justly. They are pleading with God for assistance in dealing with their adversaries and seeking retaliation for the wrongs committed against them.
- Unexpected Destruction: The psalmist prays for their adversaries to be surprised and for their own destructive schemes to backfire. This illustrates the notion that the wicked will be shocked by the results of their own deeds.
- Hidden Traps: The psalmist compares their opponents’ cunning schemes to a concealed net to illustrate his point. This emphasizes the idea that even though the wicked may attempt to deceive and hurt others, their own schemes will finally bring about their destruction.
- Trust in God’s Justice: The psalmist is putting their faith in God’s righteousness and power. They have faith that God will defend His people from their adversaries and bring about justice for His people.
- Falling into Destruction: The psalmist is begging that their enemies fall into the identical disaster that they meant for the psalmist. This emphasizes the notion that the wicked will finally pay for their transgressions.
Background to Psalm 35:8
King David is credited with writing Psalm 35, which is a plea for protection from his enemies.
The historical context of this psalm is obscured by the fact that David experienced opposition and persecution on numerous occasions throughout his life. Some academics argue that David wrote this psalm while on the run from King Saul, who was envious of David’s fame and wanted to have him killed.
David asks God in Psalm 35:8 to bring about justice and deliverance from his adversaries. He requests God to frustrate the schemes of his opponents, calling them treacherous and hurtful. This illustrates the idea that David trusts in God’s justice and protection rather than pursuing revenge for himself.
Similar Bible verses
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
Proverbs 26:27 (NKJV)
Similar to Psalm 35:8, this verse discusses the repercussions that befall people who plot to hurt others.
Those who aim to damage others will eventually pay for their own acts, just as someone who digs a pit will fall into it and someone who rolls a stone will have it roll back on them.
This verse serves as a reminder of the sowing and reaping principle as well as the value of leading a morally upright and considerate life.
For the day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head.
Obadiah 1:15 (NKJV)
This verse describes the punishment that will be meted out to the countries that have victimized and persecuted Israel. It illustrates the belief that those who are evil will finally pay for their transgressions, exactly as they have harmed others.
This verse serves as a reminder that even in the face of oppression and persecution, God is just and that His justice will finally win.
Based on Psalm 35:8, how is the Believer to live his life?
The significance of seeking justice and placing our trust in God is emphasized in Psalm 35:8. Believers are obligated to follow this verse’s instructions and conduct themselves in a morally upright and just manner at all times. The Christian can put the guidelines of Psalm 35:8 into practice in the following ways:
- Seek Justice: Believers should strive to live a just life by being nice and fair to other people. This entails defending the moral high ground and fighting for the rights of the oppressed.
- Trust in God’s Justice: Believers should place their faith in God’s justice because they know that in the end, He will bring justice for His people. This entails trusting in God’s sovereignty and having faith that He will use all things for good.
- Avoid Deceit: Believers should abstain from lying and strive to tell the truth at all times. This entails speaking the truth in love and resisting the need to control or deceive other people.
- Pray for Protection: Believers should ask for protection against those who want to harm them in their prayers. This entails putting our faith in God’s aegis and pleading with Him to deliver us from our adversaries.
My Reflection on Let Destruction Overtake Them and Psalm 35:8
I am reminded of the value of living honorably and fighting for the rights of people who have been wronged as I think about this verse. See, it is simple to feel resentment or anger towards people who have wronged us or our loved ones, and to want to exact revenge or cause them pain in retaliation.
But this verse serves as a reminder that God is just and that, in the end, justice will be served for His people.
We are commanded to look for justice and to put our faith in God’s justice rather than pursuing vengeance or harm. This entails standing up for what is right, pursuing justice for those who have been harmed, and putting our faith in God to execute justice in His own time and manner.
This verse also serves as a reminder of the results of lying and wrongdoing. People who wish to harm others will eventually pay for their sins, as their own schemes fail and they fall into their own traps.
The more I think about this scripture, the more crucial it is to believe in God’s justice and of the consequences that await those who intentionally damage others.
May we all strive to live honorably and believe in God’s justice despite hardship.
Let me pray for you
My Father,
I lift up to you our brothers and sisters who desire to see justice done and destruction overtake their enemies. I ask that you give them strength and courage to trust in your justice and to seek to live with integrity, even in the face of adversity.
I pray that you protect them from the schemes of the wicked one and that you bring about justice in your own time and way. I ask that you help them to forgive their enemies, even as they seek justice for the wrongs that have been done to them.
Above all, I trust in your sovereignty and your love for us, knowing that you are with us always and that you will never leave us or forsake us.
I ask all these things in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
