Psalm 35 – When Life Hangs in the Balance

By: Edward Cortez

 

Just when we thought we had a good handle on the pandemic that had been around for almost two years, here came another variant named Omicron – a more highly contagious variant of the COVID virus but is said to be milder and moderate in its symptoms for the majority of infected people even though hospitalizations and admissions in ICUs continue to rise. This is definitely not a good way to start the new year. The challenges we will face this year 2022 require that we get help from someone who will fortify our faith, bring courage and calm to our soul, and instill hope in the midst of despair.

Psalm 35 gives us some of the clearest words of assurance and encouragement when our lives hang in the balance. David wrote this Psalm when his life was in danger from a madman, King Saul, who pursued him relentlessly in a diabolical plot to kill him. David couldn’t understand why Saul wanted him dead. He saved Israel from the ignominy of defeat when he challenged and decapitated the Philistines’ champion, Goliath. He fought Saul’s battles and won decisively. He spared Saul’s life when he had the chance to silence him. Yet in spite of all the good he had done for the nation the insecure, paranoid king spent all the resources of his kingdom and his strength pursuing the wrong target which left a confused, bewildered David.

The message of Psalm 35 is very clear: when we are overwhelmed by life’s vicissitudes – the downturns or the ups and downs of life – we should always allow God to fight our battles instead of our own puny strength. Let go and let God.

In Psalm 35 David implores God, “O Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. Put on your armor, and take up your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid. Lift up your spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Let me hear you say, ‘I will give you victory!’” David himself was mighty warrior who bore the scars of bloody battles. But he knew that there was a better and greater Warrior than he was in whom he could rely on when his strength failed him. In effect he was saying, “God you are bigger and more powerful than I am. Be the One to fight my battles.”

The ongoing threat of the virus is putting a lot of stress and anxiety upon many people. We already know of people close to us or personally known by us who have succumbed to the onslaught of the pandemic. It is during these challenging times that we are faced with the significant issues of life and death. Is the question of eternity a settled matter in your life?

Some 2,000 years ago a man by the name of Nicodemus went to Jesus seeking for answers. In that remarkable encounter, Jesus made the most profound yet simplest statement of all coupled with an invitation that has eternal consequences, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have an everlasting life.”