Read Psalm 7:1-5. 1O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, 2lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver. 3O Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, 4if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, 5let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust.
David’s enemies are accusing him of some pretty treacherous behavior, while David maintains his innocence before God – if I have…if there is wrong…if I have. David already has God’s salvation, his refuge, but now he wants God’s justice too. He wants God himself to be the judge and jury, not his peers and definitely not his enemies. He knows that if God tries the case he will be acquitted of all charges.
We tend to get this backwards don’t we? When people slander our name, accusing us of wrongdoing we rarely take the case to God trusting him to make things right. Rather we try to defend ourselves before the court of public opinion. Our inner lawyer gets to work right away. We “counter sue.” We argue our case.
In Christ we have the refuge we need, regardless of what others may say about us. When Satan stands before God accusing us, pointing out our filthy garments, it is Jesus who stands in our defense, robing us in his righteousness (see Zechariah 3:1-5), and calling us his own. Today Christ in us propitiates for us before the throne of God, and one day Jesus alone will be our judge and jury who will declare us guiltless as he sees only his own righteousness.
To live is Christ means no more need to fear what man may do to us (or say about us). Jesus is our refuge of peace that allows us to receive criticism and look at it honestly, without defending, and without condemnation.
In Christ: Is there any ongoing accusation against you that you need to take to Christ? How will he handle it for you?
Christ in you: How are you at receiving criticism? How can you respond to criticism from the Christ in you and not your inner lawyer?
Pray. Jesus, you are my refuge in the storm of gossip, slander, and criticism that often accuses me unfairly. But when the accusations are true, strengthen me to respond from your grace. Amen.
To Live is Christ 