Don’t be a watcher
They also opened their mouth wide against me, and said, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen it.” Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” – Psalms 35:21 & 27
We live in a world that seems to thrive on criticism. Everywhere we turn, people are ready to jump all over others for even the smallest mistakes—sometimes intentional, sometimes not. It’s sad and even stressful to witness how quickly grace and understanding are replaced with judgment and harshness. Often, it seems like people are waiting for others to mess up, just to feel better about themselves. Unfortunately, this attitude invades just about every area of our daily lives, from workplaces to social media, and even among friends and family.
A while back I had a conversation with someone who was struggling in their relationship with a friend. They were completely focused on everything their friend was doing wrong, talking about everything that was below standard with frustration. As I listened, I couldn’t help but feel that they were being deceived—convinced that their friend’s mistakes were the defining characteristics of who they were. I gently reminded them that focusing solely on someone’s flaws blinds us to their potential. Instead of calling out every wrong, I encouraged them to remember the good things they appreciated about their friend and look for opportunities to uplift rather than condemn. Sometimes, when we get too caught up in pointing out others’ flaws, we inadvertently hinder what the Holy Spirit may be doing in their heart. The bottom line is you cannot base your happiness on others. You must decide that you are going to be a happy person despite what others say or do. God is our source of happiness, and it is up to us to trust Him for it.
Psalm 35 reveals a similar struggle in David’s life. He speaks of those who were watching his every move, ready to accuse him of wrongdoing—even when he was innocent. His enemies had opened their mouths wide against him, eager to see him fall. You can feel David’s frustration as he cries out to God for justice. He felt surrounded by people who wanted to see him fail, who were quick to point fingers and celebrate his downfalls.
But David’s response at the end of the psalm is a beautiful shift in focus. Instead of dwelling on the unfair treatment from his enemies, he concludes by declaring that those who favor God’s righteous cause will rejoice and be glad. “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” David reminds us that even when people watch us with critical eyes, waiting for us to fall, God is not like that. God is for us. He takes pleasure in seeing His people prosper and succeed in His mission.
This truth is a comfort to all of us who face criticism or feel like we’re under the magnifying glass. God is not waiting for us to stumble; He is cheering us on. He delights in our well-being and in the fulfillment of His purpose in our lives. When others are quick to tear us down, God is at work building us up.
Today I want to encourage you to remember to extend that same grace to others. Instead of focusing on their mistakes, magnify the Lord by seeing the potential He has placed in each person. Find favor in His righteous cause, knowing that He takes joy in helping you—and others—prosper. Instead of being quick to criticize, become that person that is quick to build up, encourage, and rejoice in the progress that God is bringing about in all those around you. Magnify the Lord, for He delights in the prosperity of His people. Even in the middle of criticisms and misunderstandings, trust that God is for you, and He is actively working on your behalf.
Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 35
1 Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me;Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.
3 Also draw out the spear, and stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
4 Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor who seek after my life; Let those be turned back and brought to confusion who plot my hurt.
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, and let the angel of the Lord chase them.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the Lord pursue them.
7 For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit, which they have dug without cause for my life.
8 Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly, and let his net that he has hidden catch himself; Into that very destruction let him fall.
9 And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation.
10 All my bones shall say, “Lord, who is like You, Delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?”
11 Fierce witnesses rise up; They ask me things that I do not know.
12 They reward me evil for good, To the sorrow of my soul.
13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; and my prayer would return to my own heart.
14 I paced about as though he were my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.
15 But in my adversity they rejoiced and gathered together; Attackers gathered against me, and I did not know it; They tore at me and did not cease;
16 With ungodly mockers at feasts they gnashed at me with their teeth.
17 Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue me from their destructions, my precious life from the lions.
18 I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.
19 Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies; Nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause.
20 For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful matters against the quiet ones in the land.
21 They also opened their mouth wide against me, and said, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen it.”
22 This You have seen, O Lord; Do not keep silence. O Lord, do not be far from me.
23 Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, to my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Vindicate me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
25 Let them not say in their hearts, “Ah, so we would have it!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26 Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who rejoice at my hurt; Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who exalt themselves against me.
27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
28 And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.
The Daily Dose 