Will God deliver the faithful from every kind of evil? Let’s look at Psalm 35.
Do we ask God to defend us from both verbal and physical attacks?
Lord, argue with those who argue with me; fight with those who fight against me! Grab a shield and armor; stand up and help me! Use your spear and ax against those who are out to get me! Say to me: “I’m your salvation!” (Ps 35:1-3 CEB)
Are there people who would rather see us dead, a greedy family member waiting for an inheritance, criminals who don’t value human life, companies that put profit before people, terrorists that call us infidels?
Let all who want to kill me be disgraced and put to shame. Chase away and confuse all who plan to harm me. Send your angel after them and let them be like straw in the wind. Make them run in the dark on a slippery road, as your angel chases them. I did them no harm, but they hid a net to trap me, and they dug a deep pit to catch and kill me. Surprise them with disaster! Trap them in their own nets and let them fall and rot in the pits they have dug. (Ps 35:4-8 CEV)
Who will deliver the faithful poor from those who exploit people?
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his salvation. All my bones shall say, “O Lord, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?” (Ps 35:9-10 ESV)
Are there malicious witnesses, false accusers even among people who we have cared for?
Malicious witnesses come forward; they question me about things I do not know. They repay me evil for good, making me desolate. Yet when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, and my prayer was genuine. I went about grieving as if for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning a mother. (Ps 35:11-14 HCSB)
Do we know of people who would be glad if we fell, malicious gossipers who love to tear others down?
But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together. They gathered together against me—attackers whom I did not know. They tore me apart and would not stop. Malicious mockers—they gnashed their teeth against me. (Ps 35:15-16 ISV)
When we are waiting on God to rescue us do we get impatient?
Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. (Ps 35:17-18 KJV)
Do we pray that God would not let our enemies who hate us triumph over us?
Let those who are wrongfully my enemies not be glad over me; Nor let those who hate me without cause wink maliciously. For they do not speak peace, But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land. They opened their mouth wide against me; They said, “Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it!” (Ps 35:19-21 LSB)
Does God see all the attacks of those who would want to hurt us? Can God thwart their plans?
You have seen it, Lord, do not keep silent; Lord, do not be far from me. Stir Yourself, and awake to my right And to my cause, my God and my Lord. Judge me, Lord my God, according to Your righteousness, And do not let them rejoice over me. Do not let them say in their heart, “Aha, our desire!” Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up!” May those be ashamed and altogether humiliated who rejoice at my distress; May those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and dishonor. (Ps 35:22-26 NASB)
Do fellow true believers rejoice in our exoneration? Do we praise God, knowing that we will win in the end?
May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.” My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long. (Ps 35:27-28 NIV)
Did Paul also experience this deliverance from every evil work?
I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! (2 Tim 4:17b-18 NKJV)
Will God deliver the faithful from every kind of evil? You decide!
