Psalms 55:15 (KJV) Did David Pray for His Enemies to Die?

Psalms 55:15 (KJV)

Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

I would understand the immediate context of this psalm to be the rebellion of Absalom against his father, David, and the decision of Ahithophel, David’s counselor and friend, to side with Absalom.

David’s grief over Absalom was obvious and long-standing. It began with Absalom’s murder of his brother Amnon and continued through his exile and the estrangement that lingered even after he returned home. I imagine David’s grief was compounded by the knowledge that all of this was the consequence of his own sin with Bathsheba years before. God forgave him, and he moved on, but the consequences were irrevocable.

When Absalom was slain in battle, David was nearly inconsolable. I am sure he felt like the entire incident was his doing.

If it had been anyone else, he might have been able to bear it.

Ahithophel is another story. This was a man with whom David had taken sweet counsel. How a man like this could be swept up in the rebellion is almost inconceivable. But experience has taught me that this is a common thorn for the man of God.

Now to his prayer. It is blunt and direct, and it asks for the most devastating answer possible. Could God’s Word actually endorse our praying for the death of others if the case is severe enough?

Ahithophel and Absalom both died, and both died suddenly.

But David did not want Absalom to die.

I submit that it is not the person but the wickedness that the psalmist seeks the death of.

Hell is literal, eternal, and terrible.

I do not wish anyone to go there.

I accept that God is glorified in the fact that those who reject Christ do go there forever.

But I do not pray for that to be the end of anyone.

#DailyVisitWithGod #Psalm55v15 #PrayingThroughBetrayal #GodsRighteousJudgment #MercyForTheLost

Did David Pray for His Enemies to Die?  Things We Can Pray For When Someone Hurts Us

Have you known the hurt of someone who claims to be a brother yet turns against you? David knew that pain. Familiarity and a profession of shared faith do not always bring graciousness or a true connection.

Share this Daily Visit With God with someone who understands that heartache. Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more Bible devotions and encouragement from God’s Word.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7300 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

Psalms 55:15 (KJV) Did David Pray for His Enemies to Die?

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

https://youtube.com/post/UgkxRb6Oz6-Qbc6mmi3GRoBcr6x_9-aeGt87?si=vFabfU0X1zuJqd4m

Psalms 54:3 (KJV) Familiar Faces, Strange Hearts

Psalms 54:3 (KJV)

For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.

We are told that the occasion of this Psalm is “when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?”

Ziph was a city not only in Israel, but of David’s own tribe. Yet they twice turned David in to King Saul, and David calls them strangers.

Gill says:

-They “used him as barbarously as the very Heathens would have done, or worse”

-“though notwithstanding they were of Israel, might not be Israelites indeed”

-They were “but strangers to an inward experience of divine and spiritual things”

He goes on to say, “men may be professors of religion, and yet be strangers to God in Christ, to Christ himself, and the way of salvation by him, and communion with him; to the Spirit of God, and the operations of his grace on the heart.”

I think I have met some who would claim to be brethren, even claim to be of the same faith as I, and yet are still “strangers” in their relationship because of their lack of graciousness. You rub shoulders with some folks, but never make a good connection. They know you, acknowledge you and would, in an instant, turn, act and speak against you.

They are strangers, no matter how well you know them.

#KnowingChrist #TrueSalvation #MoreThanReligion #GraceOfGod #WalkWithGod

Familiar Faces, Strange Hearts: Close Yet Disconnected

Have you known the hurt of someone who claims to be a brother yet turns against you? David knew that pain. Familiarity and a profession of shared faith do not always bring graciousness or a true connection.

Share this Daily Visit With God with someone who understands that heartache. Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more Bible devotions and encouragement from God’s Word.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7300 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

Psalms 54:3 (KJV) Familiar Faces, Strange Hearts

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

https://youtube.com/post/UgkxbTonBfMDW76LfF7CZctRdJUF4F8-zC6N?si=jR6eH9xTUyNFSIzg

John 20:19 (KJV) Courageous Christian Faith

John 20:19 (KJV)

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Just about a year ago, my wife and I were privileged to visit a number of churches scattered around the United Arab Emirates. These churches operate underground, but for the most part we would never have known it. They hold regular services at which they sing joyfully and preach the gospel clearly. They conduct evangelistic outreach, hold camps and special services; anything we in a free world would do on a regular basis, they did as well.

But they are underground and, in small (and some not-so-small) ways, we witnessed it.

In a midweek service, the believers were gathered and the song service was underway. We were singing with joy, holding nothing back, when suddenly the song leader held up his hand in a stop motion. I don’t hear so well, so my wife explained what was happening. There was a knock on the door. Everyone stopped singing so our voices would not carry outdoors while the doorkeeper found out whether it was someone coming to services, someone coming to complain, or the police.

In another church, the congregation met in a high-rise apartment. The pastor there joked that they were an underground church meeting six stories up. But they had soundproofed the room with foam boards. He said when they first began holding services and could not yet afford the board, they had stapled old egg cartons to the walls and ceiling to dampen the sound. They preached without reservation and sang loudly and cheerfully.

But in every case, they were aware of their surroundings.

Fear had not paralyzed them. It only made them conscious.

Imagine those disciples assembled, doors shut, and very aware that Jesus Christ, the One to whom they had committed their souls, had been crucified. They had not scattered. They had not separated or disbanded. They were together, assembled, cautious, but not quitting.

And in walks Jesus!

I want to say that these are days we must be aware of our surroundings, but we must not quit our service for the Lord. We assemble not out of fear of what might be done to us but for the souls of those who do not know our Saviour.

And as we meet, aware of the dire need around us, conscious of how little we possess to effect change, we pray, we wait, we hope for that day when the LORD steps in.

#DailyVisitWithGod #John20v19 #FaithOverFear #FaithfulUnderPressure #JesusInOurMidst

Courageous Christian Faith: Cautious, But Not Quitting

Be Cautious, But Don't Quit!

The disciples gathered behind closed doors, but they had not abandoned their faith. And Jesus stood in their midst!

Whatever challenges may come, don't allow fear to silence your witness, separate you from your church, or stop your service for Christ. Keep assembling, keep praying, and keep looking for the Lord to work!

Are you remaining faithful, even when circumstances are difficult?

I invite you to visit https://marvinmckenzie.org for more Daily Visits With God, practical Bible teaching, and encouragement to remain faithful to the Lord.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7300 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

John 20:19 (KJV) Courageous Christian Faith

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

https://youtube.com/post/UgkxhIm7BXX-r6dsHIQGMw801j8E5ZoACIuE?si=1H66yIW8LVGSgX3t

Psalm 52:7 (KJV) Why Do Wicked People Prosper?

Psalm 52:7 (KJV)

Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

This Psalm purportedly was David’s response when Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, came to tell him that Doeg had told Saul David had been at Nob. Upon this report, Saul had the priests at Nob summoned and then killed at the hands of Doeg. David’s response was not so much grief for the priests, although 1 Samuel 22:22 speaks of that, but of the arrogance of Doeg.

I’d put it like this: what had happened to the priests was done and over. It was terrible and gross, but it was done and could not be resolved. Doeg, on the other hand, was a present matter that could be addressed.

And David addressed him, not by taking vengeance but in prayer. And by recalling God’s ultimate victory over everything that trusts in the abundance of riches and strengthens himself in his wickedness.

Doeg appeared to be the mighty man. He had the favor of the king and the power to destroy those who stood in his way. But David knew something Doeg did not. The goodness of God endureth continually. Doeg trusted in what he could accomplish through wickedness. David trusted in the mercy of God.

David, as we know, was the one who ended on top. Saul lived long enough to mourn his choices but not much longer.

David lived out his days, not always in comfort, because this world is uncomfortable for the people of God, but with inner peace and the joy of his salvation.

And David lives on in eternal life.

I do not know what ultimately became of Doeg, but I do know I’d rather follow the example of David.

#DailyVisitWithGod #Psalm52v7 #TrustInGod #GodsGoodness #BibleDevotional

Why Do Wicked People Prosper? God Has the Final Word

The Wicked May Appear to Win Today, But God Has the Final Word!

Doeg trusted in his influence, his position, and his wickedness. David trusted in the mercy of God. We know which man ultimately prevailed!

Where are you placing your confidence today? In what you possess, what you can accomplish, or in the God whose goodness endureth continually?

Don't let the temporary success of wickedness shake your faith. Follow David's example. Trust God, leave the outcome in His hands, and remember that His judgment is final!

📖 Read more Daily Visits With God and find biblical encouragement for everyday life at https://marvinmckenzie.org.

Share this devotional with someone who needs reminding that God always has the final word!

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7300 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

Psalm 52:7 (KJV) Why Do Wicked People Prosper?

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

https://youtube.com/post/UgkxeEyeO8hauoRGs1Xaa53_vKwT_iCtgntk?si=54LAR8c-YxVcvr3h

Psalms 51:1 (KJV) The Messenger's Spirit

Psalms 51:1 (KJV)

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. 

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

I recognize that the superscript that begins many of the Psalms is not God-breathed, inspired writing. But it's considered established that this superscript is accurate. The Psalm was written by David upon being confronted by the prophet for his sin with Bathsheba.

Psalm 51 is a lesson in repentance.

It's not my point to go through the Psalm, but it would be a good one for the one struggling over his sin to work through. This isn't academic; this is visceral, real, cutting to the quick of things.

My point is that it was the response to being confronted. We have a record of this confrontation in the Word of God, and it is worth noting that Nathan wasn't in the flesh when he approached the king. He demonstrated sense, restraint, compassion, and wisdom, but he did confront.

And David did respond. He responded with grief, burden, honesty, and genuine repentance.

Perhaps there is a lesson for both the offended and the offender here, the preacher and the congregant he must rebuke. Perhaps the sinner would be in a better place to repent if the "prophet" approached him with a little more of God Himself…

Matthew 7:5 (KJV)

"...first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

#Psalm51v1 #BiblicalRepentance #SpeakingTheTruthInLove #GodlyCorrection #DailyVisitWithGo

The Messenger's Spirit: Confrontation Leading to Repentance

The truth must be preached, but the spirit of the messenger matters!

Before confronting someone else's sin, examine your own heart. Are you seeking their restoration or simply pointing out their failure? And when God uses someone to confront you, will you respond with the humility and repentance David demonstrated?

Ask God to give you both the courage to speak the truth and the grace to speak it in the right spirit.

If this Daily Visit With God has challenged you, share it with someone who might benefit from its message.

Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more daily Bible encouragement, practical Christian teaching, and resources to strengthen your walk with the Lord.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7300 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

Psalms 51:1 (KJV) The Messenger's Spirit

Here's a comic version of the lesson. 

https://youtube.com/post/Ugkx796wJB6gYxV9Tk9pQFrXTzkCEvS9vBa_?si=xjoDPVucJvyY1G4x

Psalms 50:5-6 (KJV) Christ Is Coming Again

Psalms 50:5-6 (KJV)

Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.

Whenever I read the word “gather” in the Word of God, I think of the rapture. It is represented in the New Testament often as a gathering of God’s people. The Old Testament, of course, has its own context, but the author of God’s Word, who is God Himself, knew where the book would end when He wrote the first word.

Considering that, I see:

• His coming (vs. 3)
• His presence on earth (vs. 4)
• His gathering of the saints (vs. 5)
• His Tribulation, Kingdom, and Great White Throne (vs. 6)

And then, in verse 7, the Word of God says, “Hear, O my people, and I will speak.”

How we need the one who will speak today!

The preacher, the witness, the one who declares the righteous truth, is the most meaningful and essential person in our world today. That is precisely because what is written in verses 1–6 is so very, very true.

I know these truths are mocked, scoffed at, and derided. They are often thought of as only secondary, even among professing believers.

But if these things were not true, then nothing about Christianity has purpose.

And if they are true, then nothing else even compares in importance.

#Psalms50v6 #JesusIsComingAgain #TheRapture #GodsFinalJudgment #PreachTheWord

Christ Is Coming Again: Nothing Else Compares

If God's Word is true, nothing matters more than proclaiming it!

Christ is coming! God will gather His saints, establish His kingdom, and judge the world in righteousness. These are not merely interesting Bible prophecies. They are eternal truths that demand our attention today!

The world desperately needs faithful men and women who will declare God's Word without compromise.

Will you be one of those voices?

📖 Read more in today's Daily Visit With God from Psalm 50:5–6.

Visit https://marvinmckenzie.org for daily Bible encouragement, sound doctrine, and practical teaching from God's Word.

Read it. Believe it. Share it. Someone needs to hear God's truth today!

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7300 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

Psalms 50:5-6 (KJV) Christ Is Coming Again

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

https://youtube.com/post/UgkxdmKNNDPGUWw3kCRZX2omgycxKRni3NSs?si=zI3OjX1Qsu571enS