I don’t know if you’ve ever borne the brunt of bullying … I have. I’m grateful that this issue has received some public attention. The cruelty that some mete out on others is tragic and needs not only attention, but intervention.
I was bullied a time or two in elementary school… In those times how I wished I had a big brother to stick up for me (My problem? I was the oldest!). An older brother would have been able to step into my moments of threat and fear, and have scared the bullies away! Mad moms have successfully intervened with bullies – and, believe me, you haven’t lived until you’ve seen a really angry mom! But an angry dad… well that’s something to make you shake in your boots!
Thought about all of that as I read Psalm 35 this morning…
“Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! …Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation!’ Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me! Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away! 6 Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them! … Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his salvation. All my bones shall say, ‘O Lord, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?’” (from Psalm 35:1–10 ESV)
I don’t know if you feel bullied by our spiritual “Adversary” this morning or unjustly accused or attacked by someone or something else… Take heart, you have a “Divine Advocate”… and He’s bigger and stronger than your adversary … and He takes attacks against his children personally! He’s not absent… He’s ever present! Cry out for his help like David did in this Psalm! He has promised to help!
Coffee With The Lord 