PARADOXICAL

(Inspired by three great O.T. young men, Shadrack, Meschach and Abednego.)

Lord, please stand up for your servant. Show to my enemies who they are oppressing. Show them what kind of God You are. I am but Your lowly slave, O God; I am inadequate and lacking yet You will stand up for me just the same. You don't call me a slave any longer, O God, but a friend, in spite of my lowliness.

But they slander me left and right, day and night, as if the God I believe in is impure and full of malice and filth. They scorn me and call me names as though I don't share Your sacred name. As though I was not wonderfully and fearfully made, and then rescued at a very high price, the blood of Christ.

Lord, stand up for Your child. My enemies insult me as though I don't have a King for a Father. They look down on me as though I am not an heir to imperishable riches in heaven.

I call on You, my dearest Protector! I am horrified at how they ignore Your power. You are a most merciful God, but they don't realize that You, too, are a God of Justice. They are mocking and unrepentant as though they won't face a stern Judge themselves someday, if not today. If there is anything to fear in this world and beyond, it is Your Divine Wrath!

Stand up for Your follower, Lord. They mistreat Your soldier as if You are a wimpy, fickle-minded military commander. Send forth an army from heaven to defend me.

I am surrounded by demons and they wouldn't let up with their tortures. Their vile torments crush me to the ground but You O Lord of Hosts shall repay each one of them. You are not called the Master of the Universe for nothing, yet witness how they treat my Master like dirt. If You count as nothing to them, how much more Your helpless lambs?

Smite all these wolves with your glinting sword, O Lord! You will not listen to their pleas because they have mocked You. If evil people call on demons to cast hexes and all sorts of spells, how much more can I not call on You to pour Your cup of wrath on them?

Thank You Lord that You would condescend and listen to me. I owe You words of glory in the assembly of Your people where I shall proclaim Your greatness as my God, my Father, my King and my Defender! Amen.

4.18.2000

posted by Resty Odon  # 12:56 AM