Welcome to Day 2422 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 9:11-20 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2422 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2422 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’ll be exploring Psalm 9:11-20 from the New Living Translation. This portion of the psalm continues David’s powerful themes of praise, justice, and God’s protection. Let’s dive into these verses and uncover the timeless truths they hold. Psalm 9:11-20 (NLT): 11 Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds. 12 For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer. 13 Lord, have mercy on me. See how my enemies torment me. Snatch me back from the jaws of death. 14 Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates, so I can rejoice that you have rescued me. 15 The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others. Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set. 16 The Lord is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds. Quiet Interlude 17 The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God. 18 But the needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed. 19 Arise, O Lord! Do not let mere mortals defy you! Judge the nations! 20 Make them tremble in fear, O Lord. Let the nations know they are merely human. Praising God and Proclaiming His Deeds: David begins this segment of Psalm 9 with a call to worship: “Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds.” Here, David invites us to join him in praising God, not just privately, but publicly. He encourages us to tell the world about God’s marvelous and unforgettable deeds. This is a reminder that our faith and gratitude should not be hidden. Sharing our testimonies of God’s goodness can inspire and uplift others. In verse 12, David provides a compelling reason for this praise: “For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.” This verse underscores God’s deep concern for justice and His compassionate nature. God is not distant or indifferent; He actively cares for the helpless and hears the cries of those who suffer. This assurance of God’s attentiveness and justice is a powerful motivator for our praise and proclamation. A Cry for Mercy and Rescue: In verses 13 and 14, David’s prayer shifts to a personal plea for mercy and rescue: “Lord, have mercy on me. See how my enemies torment me. Snatch me back from the jaws of death. Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates, so I can rejoice that you have rescued me.” David is in a desperate situation, tormented by his enemies and facing the threat of death. Yet, even in this distress, his focus is on God’s mercy and deliverance. David’s request is not just for his own sake, but to continue praising God publicly. He desires to stand at Jerusalem’s gates and...

Welcome to Day 2421 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – The Most Horrific Bible Story – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2421 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2421 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   Today is the fourteenth lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church. The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God’s redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it’s also a book that seems strange to us. While God’s Word was written for us, it wasn’t written to us. Today, our lesson is, The Most Horrific Bible Story. “In those days, there was no king in Israel.” This line, repeated throughout Judges, frames the horrific tale of the Levite and his concubine. The grim details of this story showcase the anarchy and spiritual decay of the period, but this story is not just a cheap thriller. When reading this story, our attention fixates on the grim details of murder, rape, war, and abduction. But there are crucial, less repugnant elements —tribal affiliations and the locations of events. The story was designed to prompt readers into favoring kingship—the people needed a Messiah, a savior. The book of Judges does not name its author; it was likely written after the time of David. All of these elements add up to not only a rationale for kingship—but a polemic for the superiority of a king from Judah (David), not Benjamin (Saul) or Ephraim. By the time Judges was being written, Saul had failed God as a spiritual leader. Anyone reading the story would be prompted to follow God’s new choice of kingship, the line of David. Any other ruler would spell chaos, evil, and tragedy. The Events in the Story What Does This Teach Us? In Judges 19-20, a Levite is retrieving his fugitive concubine from her father’s house in Bethlehem, located in the tribal territory of Judah. The Levite is shown warm hospitality in Judah, David’s tribe. The concubine’s father, who is from Judah, treats the Levite with warm hospitality. The Levite and his concubine travel home to Ephraim. On the way, he has the option to stay in the city of Jebus, a Benjamite territory. The Levite could have stopped in Jebus—which is later known as Jerusalem. It is a missed oasis in the hellish sea of Benjamin. He decides not to remain since Jebus is under the rule of Gentiles, non-Hebrews. He journeys on to Gibeah, also a The Benjamite rapists of Gibeah are clearly   Benjamite territory. In Gibeah, an old man—also from Ephraim—offers...

Welcome to Day 2420 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 9:1-10 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2420 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2420 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re exploring Psalm 9:1-10 from the New Living Translation. This psalm, attributed to David, is a powerful song of thanksgiving and praise for God’s justice and protection. Let’s embark on this exploration and uncover the profound truths within these verses. Psalm 9:1-10 (NLT): 1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. 2 I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. 3 My enemies retreated; they staggered and died when you appeared. 4 For you have judged in my favor; from your throne you have judged with fairness. 5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have erased their names forever. 6 The enemy is finished, in endless ruins; the cities you uprooted are now forgotten. 7 But the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. 8 He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. 9 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.   A Heart of Praise: David opens this psalm with a declaration of wholehearted praise: “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.”  Verse 1 sets the tone for the entire psalm, emphasizing the importance of genuine and complete worship. David is not just offering lip service; he is praising God with his whole being, recognizing God’s countless blessings and acts in his life. In verse 2, he continues, “I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.” Here, David expresses the joy that fills his heart as a result of God’s presence and actions. This joy leads him to sing praises to God, acknowledging Him as the Most High, the supreme ruler overall. These opening verses remind us of the importance of gratitude and joy in our relationship with God. They encourage us to reflect on God’s marvelous deeds and to respond with heartfelt praise. God’s Justice and Victory: Verses 3 and 4 highlight God’s justice and the victory He brings to His people: “My enemies retreated; they staggered and died when you appeared. For you have judged in my favor; from your throne you have judged with fairness.” David recounts how his enemies retreated and were defeated by the mere appearance of God. This victory is attributed not to David’s strength, but to God’s righteous judgment. God’s justice is further emphasized in verse 4, where David acknowledges that God has judged in his favor with fairness. This verse underscores the theme of divine justice, a central aspect of God’s character. It reassures us that God sees our struggles and will act justly on our behalf. The Downfall of

Welcome to Day 2419 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2419 – Standing Nose-to-Nose With the Adversary – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 07/07/2024 Our Fiery Ordeal – Standing Nose-to-Nose with the Adversary. 1 Peter 5:8-14 Last week, we compared worldly success with Biblical success. We settled on the formula for Biblical Success: submission to others + humility before God - worry of the world = genuine relief. Today’s passage is 1 Peter 5:8-14, on page 1892 of your Pew Bibles.  8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. Final Greetings 12 With the help of Silas,[b] whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. We now arrive at the end of Peter's powerful letter of hope in hurtful times. Peter sounds the battle alarm (5:8-14). He draws the army's attention to their spiritual opponent, who is planning his evil strategy behind their fiery trials (5:8). He tells the soldiers of Christ how the enemy can be defeated (5:9). He reminds us that the fierce conflict will soon be over and that we will one day emerge as victors (5:10). Finally, he points to Christ, who will ultimately triumph and exercise dominion over all (5:11). — 5:8 — Whoever lives under the impression that Satan doesn't exist is living in a dream world. Peter identifies and describes the devil in 5:8 in clear, unmistakable terms. Satan goes by several titles throughout the Bible. In 5:8, Peter uses the terms “enemy" (antidikos) and “devil” (diabolos). Diabolos refers to how he falsely accuses God's people.  In Revelation 9:11, he is called Abaddon and Apollyon, meaning “Destroyer,” titles that refer to his destructiveness. It could refer to a single divine being or multiple evil beings. These and other labels for the adversary describe him as a dangerous, destructive deceiver who slanders and accuses us at every opportunity. Revelation 12:9-10 describes Satan’s

Welcome to Day 2418 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 8:1-9 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2418 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2418 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re diving into the awe-inspiring Psalm 8:1-9 from the New Living Translation. This psalm, penned by David, is a beautiful praise hymn reflecting on God’s majesty and the unique place of humanity within His creation. Let’s explore and uncover the profound truths within these verses. Psalm 8:1-9 (NLT): 1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. 2 You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. 3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— 4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? 5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority— 7 the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, 8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. 9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! God’s Majestic Name and Glory: David begins and ends this psalm with the same powerful declaration: “O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!” This repetition frames the entire psalm, emphasizing the overarching theme of God’s majesty and glory. David recognizes that God’s name, His very essence, is evident throughout all creation. This opening line calls us to recognize and celebrate God’s presence and authority over the entire world. David continues in verse 1, “Your glory is higher than the heavens.” Here, he acknowledges that God’s glory surpasses even the vast expanse of the heavens. With their breathtaking beauty and grandeur, the heavens often symbolize the greatest and most magnificent things we can imagine. Yet, God’s glory is even greater. This verse invites us to look beyond the physical beauty of the world and see the divine hand behind it all. The Strength of the Innocent: In verse 2, David writes, “You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.” This verse highlights a surprising source of strength: the praise of children and infants. It is a reminder that God often uses the seemingly weak and insignificant to demonstrate His power and silence His enemies. The innocence and purity of a child’s praise have a unique power. It’s a profound truth that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness, as echoed in the New Testament. This verse encourages us to embrace a childlike faith and trust in God’s strength, knowing that even the simplest expressions of praise can have a powerful impact. The Wonder of Creation: Verses 3 and 4 bring us to a moment of awe and wonder:...

Welcome to Day 2417 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 7:12-17 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2417 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2417 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re delving into Psalm 7:12-17 from the New Living Translation. This passage continues David’s profound reflections on justice, the wicked, and God’s righteous judgment. Let’s explore these verses together and uncover the rich wisdom they offer. Psalm 7:12-17 (NLT): 12 If a person does not repent, God will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. 13 He will prepare his deadly weapons and shoot his flaming arrows. 14 The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. 15 They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. 16 The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads. 17 I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. God’s Preparedness for Judgment: In verses 12 and 13, we vividly depict God’s readiness to execute judgment: “If a person does not repent, God will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. He will prepare his deadly weapons and shoot his flaming arrows.” This imagery is stark and powerful, emphasizing the seriousness of unrepentant sin. It paints a picture of a God who is prepared to take decisive action against those who persist in their wickedness. David underscores that God is not passive in the face of evil. He is depicted as a warrior, readying his weapons to enforce justice. This should serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of repentance. The imagery of sharpening a sword and stringing a bow indicates that God’s patience has limits; He is prepared to act decisively when necessary. For us, these verses highlight the urgency of repentance. They remind us that God’s justice is sure and that continuing in sin without seeking forgiveness has serious consequences. It’s a call to turn away from wrongdoing and seek God’s mercy before it’s too late. The Nature of Wickedness: Verse 14 delves into the nature of wickedness: “The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies.” David uses the metaphor of conception and birth to describe the process of evil. Just as a child grows in the womb and is eventually born, evil also starts in the heart and eventually manifests in actions. This metaphorical language illustrates how deeply ingrained wickedness can become. It starts as a thought or desire and grows if nurtured, eventually leading to harmful actions and lies. The progression from conception to birth shows that sin is often a deliberate process, not a sudden occurrence. This verse serves as a warning about the seeds of sin. It reminds us to guard our thoughts and desires, to prevent them from growing into actions that cause harm. It calls us to be vigilant against the early stages of sin, addressing it before it takes root and grows. The Consequences of Evil...

Welcome to Day 2416 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Is My Bible Right? – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2416 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2416 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   Today is the thirteenth lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church. The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God’s redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it’s also a book that seems strange to us. While God’s Word was written for us, it wasn’t written to us. Today, our lesson is, Is My Bible Right? After the great flood, everyone had one language. Humanity congregated in the region of Babylonia (“the land of Shinar”) and started building a tower that would reach into the heavens (Gen 11:1-9). God stopped the project by transforming the single language into many—dispersing humanity over the earth and creating the nations and regions listed in Genesis 10. Most people think it ends there, but there’s more. The story picks up again in Deuteronomy 32:8-9. And the story changes, depending on what Bible version you use. When the Most High apportioned the nations as an inheritance, when he divided up humankind, he established the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.- Some Bibles may read “sons of Israel” instead of “sons of God.” The difference is due to an ancient manuscript disagreement with major theological ramifications. Deuteronomy 32:8 Masoretic Text Dead Sea Scrolls When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance When he divided humanity When he divided humanity He fixed the borders of the peoples He fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel according to the number of the sons of God Deuteronomy 32:43 Masoretic Text Dead Sea Scrolls [la] 0 nations, acclaim His people!

Welcome to Day 2415 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 7:6-11 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2415 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2415 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re delving into Psalm 7:6-11 from the New Living Translation. This passage is a powerful continuation of David’s plea for God’s justice and deliverance. Let’s unpack these verses together and discover the rich wisdom they offer. Psalm 7:6-11 (NLT): 6 Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice! 7 Gather the nations before you. Rule over them from on high. 8 The Lord judges the nations. Declare me righteous, O Lord, for I am innocent, O Most High! 9 End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God. 10 God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right. 11 God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day. A Call for Divine Intervention: In verse 6, David urgently calls upon God, “Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice!” This vivid language underscores David’s desperate need for God to take action. He’s asking God to rise up and confront his enemies with divine fury. David’s plea reflects his confidence in God’s ability to bring justice and his trust that God will not ignore his cries for help. The use of “Arise” and “Wake up” might sound unusual when referring to God, who is always aware and active. However, this language illustrates David’s deep desire for immediate divine intervention. It’s a passionate call for God to manifest His justice and defend the innocent visibly. God’s Sovereignty Over the Nations: Verse 7 expands the scope of David’s plea: “Gather the nations before you. Rule over them from on high.” David recognizes that God’s sovereignty extends beyond his personal plight to encompass all nations. He’s appealing for God’s rule and judgment to be established universally. By calling on God to gather the nations, David acknowledges that God’s justice is not limited to Israel but is meant for the entire world. This verse reminds us of God’s ultimate authority over all creation. No matter the scale of the injustice we face, God’s sovereignty remains supreme. He rules from on high, and His judgment is righteous and all-encompassing. Seeking Personal Vindication: In verse 8, David personalizes his plea: “The Lord judges the nations. Declare me righteous, O Lord, for I am innocent, O Most High!” Here, David is confident in his innocence and seeks God’s vindication. He knows that God, the righteous judge, can discern the truth and will declare him righteous if he is indeed innocent. David’s request for personal vindication is grounded in his relationship with God. He trusts that God knows his heart and his integrity. This verse challenges us to live lives of integrity, knowing that our ultimate vindication comes from God, who

Welcome to Day 2414 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2414 – A Formula That Brings Relief – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 06/30/2024 Our Fiery Ordeal – A Formula That Brings Relief. 1 Peter 5:5-7 Last week, we focused on those with leadership positions within a local church, which also applies to all of us as we partner to further God’s Kingdom on earth. Today’s passage is 1 Peter 5:5-7, on page 1892 of your Pew Bibles. If we want to grasp what true success is and how to obtain it, we need to tune out the seductive message from the world and tune in to the instructive message from God’s Word. 5  In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[a] 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Our society has gorged itself on the pursuit of success. Upward mobility, getting ahead, snagging that promotion—only one direction will do: up ... up … UP! We've stuffed ourselves with money-making schemes and binged on books and seminars teaching us how to make ourselves great. Not long ago, our gluttony for financial success inflated an economy until it exploded. But not to worry! We'll pick up the pieces and start all over again. Bulletin Insert The world tells us that to be satisfied, we need fortune: Make a lot of money—make a boatload of money! Society persuades us that to be significant, we need fame, which means being well-known and well-connected. The culture tries to convince us that to have true success, we need influence: wield power, be in control, and don't take orders—give them! And if this “big three" of success doesn’t do it, the real secret lies in indulgence: fulfilling your wants, desires, and pleasures. The world's methods of achieving these things aren’t complicated. Work hard, or at least harder than everybody else. Push ahead, even if it means stepping on others. Remove all obstacles, such as friends, family, and faith. And promote yourself even if it means exaggerating a bit or trashing somebody else! The great irony of all this is that the more success we have, the more we want. History, experience, religion, psychology, and sociology have all taught us that such purposeless pursuits can never ultimately quench our thirst for true meaning or relieve our hunger for true happiness. Instead of fulfillment, we experience the bloated nausea of disappointment. Ultimately, the all-you-can-eat lifestyle leaves us weighed down in our spirit, nauseated with worry, and let down by life. In an age like ours, the countercultural message of humility is neither popular nor appreciated. At a time...

Welcome to Day 2413 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 7:1-5 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2413 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2413 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re delving into Psalm 7:1-5 from the New Living Translation. This Psalm is a passionate prayer of David, expressing his plea for God’s justice and deliverance in the face of false accusations and persecution. Let’s explore these verses together and uncover their profound insights for our spiritual journey. Psalm 7:1-5 (NLT): 1 I come to you for protection, O Lord my God. Save me from my persecutors—rescue me! 2 If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion, tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me. 3 O Lord my God, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice, 4 if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause, 5 then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground and drag my honor in the dust. Interlude A Cry for Protection: David begins this Psalm with a desperate plea for protection: “I come to you for protection, O Lord my God. Save me from my persecutors—rescue me!” (verse 1). In this opening verse, David seeks refuge in God, recognizing that only God can provide the protection and deliverance he desperately needs. David’s use of “O Lord my God” signifies a personal relationship with God, highlighting his deep trust and reliance on Him. David’s plea for rescue is urgent because he feels the imminent threat of his enemies. He understands that without God’s intervention, his persecutors will “maul me like a lion, tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me” (verse 2). The vivid imagery of being mauled by a lion emphasizes the severity of the danger he faces and his utter helplessness without God’s protection. These verses serve as a powerful reminder to seek God’s protection in times of trouble. When we face threats or persecution, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, we can turn to God, our protector, and trust in His ability to rescue us from harm. David’s example encourages us to cultivate a personal relationship with God, one that is rooted in trust and reliance on His strength and deliverance. A Declaration of Innocence: In verses 3-5, David boldly declares his innocence: “O Lord my God, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice, if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause, then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground and drag my honor in the dust.” This declaration reflects David’s confidence in his own integrity and his willingness to face the consequences if he is found guilty of wrongdoing. David addresses specific accusations: wrongdoing, injustice, betrayal, and plundering. By listing these potential sins, he is essentially opening himself up to God’s scrutiny and judgment. He is willing to accept whatever consequences come his way if he is guilty. This level of transparency and accountability before God is a testament to David’s character and...