Scripture Reading : Psalm 35
Theme : Prayer in Undeserved Suffering
- Prayer in Unjustified Danger (1–10). The intercessor is being persecuted for no good reason. So he calls God to protect him. God sends the Angel of the Lord (most likely pre-incarnated Jesus) to help poor/weak people like him.
- Prayer in Undeserved Danger (11–18). The intercessor is full of love even for his enemies. But they pay evil for good. In this kind of situation, when lives are in danger, it is completely appropriate for the intercessor to pray for God’s justice. There is no contradiction between God’s command to love our enemies and the intercessor’s prayer for justice. The believer should show love for his enemies, but if the enemies continue to seek to kill the believer, the only option is justice. God is the same way! He offers love and peace to His enemies, but if they keep rejecting/dishonoring Him, He will justly punish them.
- Prayer in Malicious Danger (19–28). For these malicious/evil people (think of people like ISIS who kill innocent Christians and other people), they will not succeed. God will win and destroy them and vindicate His people.
Praying the Scripture
Believers ought to show love to their enemies by trying to reconcile and do good to them (Rom. 12:18). But if their enemies refuse, they cannot do anything to bring reconciliation. If the enemies seek to kill believers, it is ok for believers to pray to seek justice. Believers are not to be filled with hatred and be vengeful, but they can and should seek justice. The laws of God is designed to punish such evil doers. You must understand how both love and righteous are lived out. This can be done by looking at Jesus. He is the perfect example of love and righteousness.
经文：诗篇35
主题：无故受罪中的祷告
- 受无理威胁的祷告（1-10）。代祷者无故受到逼迫，因此他呼求神保护他。神差耶和华的使者（大有可能是未成肉身前的耶稣）帮助像他一样困苦软弱的人。
- 在无故受难中的祷告（11-18）。代祷者满有爱心，甚至对自己的敌人也如此。然而，他们以恶报善。在这种情况下，当人的生命受到威胁时，代祷者完全可以寻求神的公义。信徒当爱他的敌人，可敌人若持续要杀害信徒，信徒唯有寻求正义。神亦如此！祂向自己的仇敌供应爱和平安，但他们若一再拒绝，祂便要公正地施与处罚。
- 受恶意危险中的祷告（19-28）。这些恶毒之人（如杀害无辜基督徒的伊斯兰国组织）并不会得逞。神将获胜，除灭他们，并为祂的百姓申冤。
用经文祷告
信徒当爱他们的敌人，与他们和睦，向他们行善（罗12:18）。但若这些敌人拒绝，他们是无能为力与他们和睦共处的。倘若敌人要杀害信徒，信徒可以在祷告中寻公正。信徒不当充满憎恨，满有报复之心，应当寻求正义。神的律法也有处罚恶人的部分。你必须明白爱和公义是如何并行的。耶稣便是我们的典范；祂是爱和公义的合身。
