Happy Trails: Journey Through the Psalms of AscentSmakprov

In this chapter, the psalmist passionately cries out, “greatly have they afflicted me” (Verse 1), “my back is covered with cuts, as if a farmer had plowed long furrows. But the Lord is good” (Verse 3-4, NLT) Interestingly, these verses are not only a journal entry, but also a foreshadowing of the extreme suffering that Christ would experience while being tried and abused by the religious and political leaders in Jerusalem many years later for the redemption of mankind.

Persecution can come in many forms for a follower of God. We can be made fun of by even our own friends for our beliefs or lose a job because of standing true to our convictions. While the enemy tries to utilize any form of persecution to drive a wedge between us and God, we can find our faith deepening the more tightly we cling to Him as we experience times of testing and rejection. We shouldn’t be surprised when we are mistreated because of what we believe. Jesus explained to His disciples in John 15:18 that if the world hates you, remember that the world hated Him first, and as His sheep we will also experience opposition from the world.

In these verses, we’re shown that a knife can be used to either injure or to free. While the enemy is on a hunt to wound us as we journey to our heavenly home, our God has snapped the ties that keep us in bondage to sin by His son Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection. His goodness is greater than any attack from the evil one and has the last word on your life. Walk with your head high in this freedom today! Remember this: whom the Son sets free is free indeed. (John 8:36) You are FREE.

1. Do you struggle to believe in God’s goodness?
2. Can you recall a time God has freed you from a form of bondage? Thank Him.
3. What do you feel bound by today? Invite God to release you.
4. Ask God to reveal to you one person that you could speak life instead of death over today. Send them a text or a note of encouragement.