Scripture
The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies.
~Psalm 7:14, NLT
Quote
Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding fine.
~Friedrich von Logau
R.G. Lee quoted Friedrich von Logau in his famous sermon, “Payday Someday.” The law of retribution is woven into the fabric of the universe and no one can take it out. We are all free to sin but no one is free of the consequences. I can jump from the Empire State building if I want but once I jump, the consequences of my foolish decision take effect. David was being slandered by a man named Cush who most likely worked in Saul cabinet. We don’t know for sure but Cush may have been accusing David of stealing and plundering. It is very likely that he portrayed David as an outlaw and a criminal deserving of death. Slander is a deceitful and dirty trick: once a slanderous accusation is made, the victim of the slander is stained for life whether he is innocent or guilty. Slander destroys a man’s reputation. All slander emanates from the throne of Satan who is the father of ALL slander. There is no defense against slander. Of course David is very disturbed about what Cush has done and he carries his problem to the LORD. What do we do when some one slanders our name? Well, the first thing we should do is pray. We can also take comfort in the word of God: “Vengeance is Mine,” says the LORD, “I will repay.”
Dr. Wiersbe sees a four-fold judgment in Psalm 7:
- First, there is the COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION. In spite of what we say, what others think about us matters but we cannot allow public opinion to guide, we must follow our convictions.
- Then there is the COURT OF PERSONAL OPINION. Any time we are accused, it should be at time of deep introspection. Are the accusations founded? Is there need for confession and repentance on our part. Since these charges related to David’s treatment of Saul and fellow Israelites, David maintained his innocence. This does not mean that David had no sin, it simply means that he was not guilty of the present accusations. Several years ago, I was accused of doing something deceitful and underhanded. When friends came to me and told me what was going on, I was in shock. These folks had conjured up something that I had never imagined, let alone carried out. I jokingly said to my friends, “I’m glad that don’t know what I am guilty of but what they have accused me of has never entered my mind.”
- Then there is the HIGH COURT {Elyon} or THE COURT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. When God created this universe, He designed it to be governed by certain natural and spiritual laws. The Law of gravity is a natural law and the law of retribution is a spiritual law but it is just as real as the law of gravity. To illustrate this the bible compares sin to conception, pregnancy, birth and maturity. We find this principle in Job 15:35, Isaiah 33:11; 59:4, James 1:13-15. Here David says….
The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads. In brief, sin carries it own penalty which is death. Moses referred to the law of retribution in Numbers 32:23, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Sin can be a beautiful baby but it grows up to be an ugly child and when it reaches full maturity, it is a monster that will destroy the very one who conceived it. Here is the problem from the human perspective: this law works according to God’s calendar, not ours. We want instant vindication: God does not work that way but He is working…do not doubt it. Pharaoh threw Hebrew babies into the Nile: how did Pharaoh die? Saul hunted David with swords and spears: how did Saul die? Jezebel slandered Naboth and then had him stoned. Afterward the dogs ate his fleash. How did Jezebel die? I know, Jezebel lived unfettered for 20 more years after cruelly concocting the death of Naboth over a vineyard but in due time, she got what was coming to her. I can go on and on folks but you get the picture: no sin slips through the crack. Perhaps you are thinking right now: I’ve gotten by with some. A cocklebur can lay dormant under the soil for 40 years and then come up. Sorry friend it’s not over until the Judge has His final say. Trust me, every sin will be found out.
- Which leads to the FINAL JUDGMENT and I have run out of time and you are tired of reading. Don’t go to court without a lawyer and I highly recommend Jesus.
- Can you believe it is 2018! I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s and I never imagined seeing the year 2018. I don’t know whether to quote Keith Blackwood…“Unbelievable,” or Luther Roberts…“You better believe it.”
- June and I live in an old house and we have been on the verge of freezing. I watched the ballgame in a hoodie with gloves on and under an electric snuggy. Last night June showed me one of our problems: there was cold air coming in all of our windows so we did some caulking last night. It has helped, I am wearing a T-Shirt now. Check those windows. A heat wave is coming through today, it is going to get up to 38 degrees.
- Good thing I am not a betting man, I would have lost the house and the farm on the Georgia game. I did not think they could win a shoot out but they did and now I will have to find somewhere to go to watch the finals. June is a huge Georgia fan and of course I will be pulling ever so slightly for Alabama.
- I working on Chapter one of THE MIND OF CHRIST. I have read the book twice already but it is as fresh as a daisy. It is a great study. I can’t wait for SMALL GROUPS. Let me share one insight from chapter one. We are to imitate Christ or follow His example. Yet it is impossible for us to imitate some of His divine attributes: we cannot be omnipresent, omniscience, omnipotent, infinite, or immutable but we can be kind, good, merciful, loving and gracious. God is more concerned about you have the mind of Christ than you are.