March 24thPsalm 140
Faith and Bullet-proof vests
Perhaps not surprisingly, the best place to buy a bullet-proof vest is in Bogota, Colombia. Two students at the local university noticed that bodyguards didn’t wear their bullet-proof vests because they were too cumbersome. They decided to make something more wearable. Their company now makes fashion-oriented body armour for politicians, entertainers, and business executives, as well as bullet-proof vestments for priests who risk being assassinated if they speak out against drug cartels or government corruption. The company also makes a large bullet-proof Bible that priests can use as a protective shield. (This item apparently has not sold well). [1]
Reading the OT, and this psalm, we get the impression that old Israel could be a dangerous place to live. The story of King Ahab & Queen Jezebel’s murder of Naboth, the simple farmer whose land they coveted, reinforce this impression. The rich and powerful have often used their power to oppress the ordinary citizens. Ordinary people of faith have no other resources than to pray; to call on God who hears the cry of the needy. The centre of this psalm-prayer is vs. 6-8.
6-8 I prayed, “God, you’re my God!
Listen, God! Mercy!
God, my Lord, Strong Savior,
protect me when the fighting breaks out!
Don’t let the wicked have their way, God,
don’t give them an inch!”
While it would appear that the violent are in control, the psalmist here affirms the sovereignty of God.
We N.A. Christians are uncomfortable with parts of this psalm. We like to think of ourselves as cultured, peaceful people. And we live with the benefit of having a secure homeland. But perhaps we need to pray them on behalf of others. In our world there are millions who daily need to pray literally, ‘Protect me from those who are violent.’
WHO might pray this prayer today?
A mother in a refugee camp desperately awaiting news of a missing child.
Families without homes or security in the devasted region of Gaza.
Parents grieving a child fallen into addictions.
Teachers and health-care workers facing violence in their workplaces.
Christians under severe persecution for their faith.
At our recent MC Sask Annual Delegate sessions, some folks reported on a recent visit to the Colombian Mennonite churches. They were inspired by the Colombian Mennonite’s sturdy commitment to faith and to peace and justice work.
Justapaz, which means ‘a just peace’, was created by the Colombian Mennonite Church in response to violence and injustice across Colombia. Justapaz carries out training programs and workshops to combat the normalization of violence in society. It seeks to enable the peaceful mediation of conflicts existing in communities, and to demonstrate what psychological support can be given to victims, and facilitate legal cases.
One person reported the Colombian Mennonite leaders telling her, ‘We have no exit plan.’ In other words, they will remain faithful to their calling in their time and place come what may. They deserve our most devoted prayers.
[1] Goldingay, J. – Psalms for Everyone, 203.