Without Cause

"We’ve got to look after ourselves,” said the farmer. “Parson used to say there was One as took that off our hands!" replied Sarah—George MacDonald, The Cleric's Awakening

For without cause they hid their net for me;

without cause they dug a pit for my life...

They hate me without cause—35:7,19

Some folks will hate you though you're trying to do the right thing. Here's King David's take on his situation:

They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft. When they were sick I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest. I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning. But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; they gathered together against me; wretches whom I did not know

tore at me without ceasing; like profane mockers at a feast,

they gnash at me with their teeth" (35:12-16).

What then can we do when we're judged unjustly?  

David shot up a prayer, which is always the first thing to do: "Awake and rouse yourself for my vindication, for my cause, my God and my Lord! Vindicate me, O LORD, my God according to your righteousness” (35:23,24). 

Put your situation in God's hands for His resolution. Don’t try to vindicate yourself. Self-defense is a null set, as the math guys say: It amounts to nothing. Let God take up your cause. He is just and will bring justice in due time (35:17).

Meanwhile, our Father "delights" in us (35:27). Who gives a fig what others say?

David Roper