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Psalm 69:19 Dealing with reproach, shame and dishonor

Good afternoon fellow saints,

As we come to the end of a week of more history making events, this seems to be an appropriate portion of this Psalm.  I am remined again that actions have consequences.  Sometimes we don't know what the consequences will be, sometimes the consequences seem to be disproportionate to the action.  But there are always consequences.  The Westminster Confession of Faith calls this "contingency of secondary causes".  Our free choices are what God uses to bring about whatsoever comes to pass.

As Christians, we need to think about the likely consequences of our actions.  If they could reasonably bring reproach, shame and dishonor on the name of Christ, we must reconsider those actions.

Blessings,

Jeff

David's cry for help. My reproach, shame and dishonor. No one shows pity.  He meets only with cruelty (poison for food and sour wine to drink).  I am puzzled by how the greatest king of Israel could find himself in this condition.  Fleeing from Absalom comes to mind.  Perhaps when he commands a census.  While he was a great king, he was not a perfect king.  There were times when he had done things that deserved reproach, shame and dishonor.  But why would people refuse to show pity?  When a good man has a moral lapse, others are generally willing to be lenient in light of the good he has done,  However, David's opponents have never liked him and want him punished without mercy.  David is looking to God for pity because he is not getting it from men.

Then I have to think about how this applies to Jesus.  If He had not been given sour wine as He hung on the cross, would the link to this psalm would be a challenge?  After all, I say that Jesus had no sin.  He did nothing deserving of reproach, shame or dishonor.  But God made him to be sin who knew no sin. (2 Cor 5),   David was suffering for his own actions.  Jesus is suffering for mine.  

I must never agree with the sentiment that everybody deep down loves Jesus.  As some hated David, every unbeliever hates Jesus because He was holy.  

While people showed Jesus no pity, neither did the Father. David had hope that God would deliver him.  Jesus knew that all the wrath of God had to be poured out on Him in order to save anyone.  

Tim Keller points to this as an "unanswered prayer".  David hoped for pity from men and did not receive it.  Jesus was asking for deliverance from the Father and did not receive it.  We pray for what we desire, but always in the context of Your will be done.

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