Is someone making life miserable for you at school? Is a boss at work unfair to you? Are there brethren who seek to be-rate and belittle you with gossip, rumors, and false accusations? So, what are you going to do about it? Whoa, wait a minute! If you are like me, your first impulse might not be the right one! What can you do that is right before God?

There are a number of things. Likely, you have tried the obvious ones. If not, do so. If you have reacted bitterly, if you have fought fire with fire, re-turning evil for evil, you have taken the wrong course. Again, though, assuming you have prayed for your adversary, and assuming that you have done all you know to do, there is one more thing you might try. Ask the Lord to deliver you from evil men!

"Finally, brethren, pray for us ... that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith" (2 Thess. 3:1, 2). "Deliver me, 0 Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. They have sharpened their tongues . . poison is under their lips. Keep me, 0 Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who hath purposed to overthrow my goings . . . Grant not, 0 Lord, the de-sires of the wicked: further not his wicked device" (Psa 140:1-8).

"And he spice a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint saying, There was in a city a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard men; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

"And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily" (Luke 18:1-8). So, with persistent humility, ask the Lord to deliver you from evil men.

Guardian of Truth XL: 12 p. 7
June 20, 1996