Let not Man Prevail...the Wayfarer 7/29/14

Let not Man Prevail
7/29/14

"Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.

Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

(Psalm 9: 19 &20)

In a world beset by constant strife, constant affliction, constant persecution of my brethren throughout the world, praise is often forgotten as supplication is made for relief of the troubles that are faced, and the "Woe is me" attitude often prevails as concentration is placed on the power being wielded by men instead of the power wielded by God.

When God's plan is viewed by His people, the consternation that is common among society too often infects, and affects understanding of the coming effects  of that plan!

They tend to forget that man has never prevailed, cannot, will not ever do so in any future time, and that all trust and praise must be given only to the One holding any true power over past, present and future.

Fears are misplaced, being concentrated on the visible and physical, as the eternal and spiritual fall victim to that concentration on the singular events that fall within the execution of a far greater plan than that seen and recognized.

Plans are made, trust placed in those plans that defend only physical body, as it is the soul that comes under attack through the discomfort of that body, and the perceived needs of the body in those plans for defense of it.

Lamentation replaces praise: Sorrow for current circumstance replaces the joy that should exist for what is yet to come.

Lamentation, and fear of man are easy, readily seen, and distract from the required endurance that has been asked of us, only menthe trust that is required of us, and the proof of that trust is not given as praise and action are withheld, replaced by needless fear of men who have forgotten that they are in fact only men; men who will face the judgment of an Omnipotent and Omniscient God whose plan cannot be altered in any way by their attempts to do so.

"I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works.

I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High."

(Psalm 9:1&2)

The whole heart means exactly that! Belief either is true and exists, or lip-service is given as belief is suspended, by belief only in men and their power.

Praise is given, both through vocal and physical action... through that belief!

As David wrote this particular Psalm, Faith and belief were foremost in heart and mind, as credit was given to the One holding all power.

The only fear that was exhibited was placed, where it should be placed, not of any man, nor of any man's capabilities, but placed primarily and completely in God alone.

"When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.

For thou hast maintained my right and mu cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou  hast destroyed the wicked, thou  hast put out their name for ever and ever.

O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.

But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.

And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou Lord, hast not forsaken hem that seek thee.

(Psalm 9:3-10)

These verses are not the mere platitudes that are given by so many that deny the facts of the oppression that exists.

 They do not give hope in any virtue extant in man or in the minds of men.

They make no promise of prosperity through either capability of man, nor through any of the physical possessions held by him.

There is no praise offered for man's ability to provide himself with the salvation sought, because that ability does not exist!

Refuge must be sought where it can be found, and, despite all the philosophical and ideological teachings of man, it will never be found within man alone, but must come from God!

As noted by David, those putting their trust and belief in God  will both know his name, and have the assurance of never being forsaken by Him.

As also noted in that same verse, that assurance only comes by actually SEEKING Him!

"Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:

That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

(Psalm 9:11-14)

Humility, must accompany that praise that is expected, and is itself expected if the praise is to be heard, if any plea is to be heard, if any salvation is to be expected!

Self service was not and is not any part of the equation as David points out that any mercy given, and consideration given is expected only with the terms and conditions of showing the world where that mercy and consideration originate.

"The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

the Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.

Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah."

(Psalm 9:15-20)

David's Psalm of Praise did not go unheard, nor does any praise go unheard today.

David's faith and belief did not go unnoted, nor did the lack of faith and belief by those addressed by  him throughout this Psalm.

The faith and belief of God's people, those putting their trust in Him will never be forsaken, forgotten or ignored.

Nor must the promise go unheard, and the warning unheeded.

The requirement for praise, the requirement for humility, the requirement for repentance of the glorification and magnification of mankind will never be removed, and redemption may only be given if those seeking that realize where it lies. 

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”. 
(2nd Timothy 1:12)

"Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me.
(John 14:1)

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me."
(John 14:6)

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of y Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him."
(John 14:21)

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
(John 13-350

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed  in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But He that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
(John 3:17-21)

Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Amen and Amen!
the Wayfarer