Psalm 35:1 Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

Introductory Thoughts

It is not a common practice for people to desire or pray for confusion. Yet, there are times in the word of God when believers pleaded with the Lord in hopes that He might send confusion to their enemies. For instance, David entreated the Lord to send confusion to those who devised (Psalm 35:4), desired (Psalm 70:2), and rejoiced at his hurt (Psalm 35:26). Perhaps those chasing David would be led by the Lord in the wrong direction. Perhaps the Lord would allow David’s enemies to turn against each other rather than being united together in killing David. Regardless, David knew there would be times when his enemies would have the ability to overtake him. In those times, he asked the Lord to intervene on his behalf by confusing them.

Devotional thoughts

∙ (For children): Elisha told Israel’s king where the Syrians were going to attack. Syria’s king sent a great host to surround Elisha at Dothan. Elisha prayed for the Lord to smite the army with blindness and he led the army to the king of Israel (2 Kings 6:8-14, 18-19).

∙ (For everyone): Has there ever been a time when you needed the Lord to confuse someone who was trying to harm you? Did you know that you could ask the Lord to work on your behalf?

∙ How would this be a good prayer for missionaries who are working in closed countries like China, Israel, or the Arab nations? How would it be a good prayer for those who seek to give the gospel in troublesome times?

Prayer Thoughts

∙ Thank God for the times He has confused the enemy.

∙ Ask God to put a hedge about you as you serve Him.

 

SONG: IN TIMES LIKE THESE

 

 

 

Quotes from the next volume

(VOLUME 4, WEEK 9)

Subject: Blame (con’t)

The apostle Paul spent much of his life persecuting the church of God, but when the Lord saved him, he spent the remainder of his life attentive to protecting the testimony of the ministry.

Paul thought his testimony was so important that he would rather suffer personally than bring any reproach or blame upon himself or the work of God.