Psalm 119:84

Psalm 119:84

Persecution!

Persecution can take many forms and today it usually means to treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a long period of time because of their race, religion, or political beliefs, or to annoy someone by refusing to leave them alone. What is the Bible definition of persecution? Both Hebrew and Greek words emphasise the perception of “to pursue or bring trouble.” That includes putting people under undue pressure, oppressing them, harassing them, taunting them and bringing them to punishment even if they are innocent. The most extreme forms of persecution cause serious physical harm, including confinement, kidnapping and beatings. A brief review of the plight of the New Testament believers shows that all these types of persecution were used against them.

The psalmist obviously feels that the actions of his adversaries are unmerited and that he has no answer to their activities, it seems that his suffering has gone beyond just accusations. There is a hint of helplessness here, as if he cannot defend himself and so he is cast upon the Lord to save him. This ties in with previous references to the activities of his antagonists. 

Many of us will have suffered at the hands of persecutors in our lives, in the school playground, in the workplace, in a marriage, even in the church! At times there seems to be no end to the suffering and we must cry out, “How long must Your servant wait?” In the case of the apostles the help rarely came, they lost their lives for remaining faithful. That’s because they were not the real target of the persecutors, the Lord was! Let us be clear, He knows our plight, He will not allow us to suffer beyond what we are able to bear, and He will ensure that our persecutors meet up with true justice one day. Hallelujah!

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