Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.


Psalm 35:1-9



1 Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;

fight against those who fight against me.

2 Take up shield and armor;

arise and come to my aid.

3 Brandish spear and javelin

against those who pursue me.

Say to me,

“I am your salvation.”

4 May those who seek my life

be disgraced and put to shame;

may those who plot my ruin

be turned back in dismay.

5 May they be like chaff before the wind,

with the angel of the Lord driving them away;

6 may their path be dark and slippery,

with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

7 Since they hid their net for me without cause

and without cause dug a pit for me,

8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—

may the net they hid entangle them,

may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord

and delight in his salvation.


Today's title is "Spectacular Salvation"



We live in such a visual-oriented society. It was not as much visual in ancient times. But God uses highly visual revelation to show who He is and how He helps us. Look at today's passage. The words are so vivid that you almost feel like you are watching it with your eyes in front of the scene. I believe that’s exactly what this psalm is aiming at. The psalm shows us how real is God’s salvation from our enemies. Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of the writer for a while. You are being pursued by your enemies. They finally cornered you. The enemies are grinning at you with a drawn sword. They think they finally got you! Then you shout to the Lord "Help!" At your desperate shout, God instantly comes to your aid fully armored with His shield and spear and javelin. He looks at you first and says. "Don't worry. I am your salvation. ". Then He turns around and faces the enemy. He gives hand signals to the army of angels around Him. The enemy frantically retreats. But suddenly their path is becoming so dark and slippery. They jitter and falter. Then a net that they have prepared to catch me is thrown over the enemy and entangle them in it. They are captured like rats and thrown into the bottomless pit. This is what the psalmist prayed for. I believe this is what he got as God answered.

How spectacular is God’s salvation! Have you ever experienced such salvation? I think we all have and we all will. What mighty salvation of God we have! We rejoice in it. We delight in it. We can’t help shouting hallelujah at such spectacular salvation. How wonderful is it to have such God on your side! Are you being pursued by an enemy? Are you being cornered? Call upon the Lord. He will surely come to help you in a no less spectacular way. Amen!