Brother Cush – Psalm 7
Each of us has encountered a Brother Cush or Sister Cush in our lives. Commonly known as a frenemy, it is someone relatively close to us that causes an undue amount of angst and makes us pray more. As before, there is no contextual reference to this chapter, only that which is found in the sub-title, “Cush the Benjamite”, for which I cannot find a corroborating reference.
Brother Cush – Fighting Words
David, throughout his career, most notably prior to the throne, enemies pursued him, whether Israelites or external foes. After his ascension to the throne, the uprising of his son and his son’s allies was the primary internal threat. This current threat to David was not physical. David was afraid of only a few people, but this verbal assault was quite disturbing.
Cush apparently parlayed slander against David. Again, there is no context of what the issue was or at what point he was in David’s life. It hurt. It cut David to the core of his being, so much that he took it to God. We can surmise that the reason it hurt so much is that Cush may have been an ally or even a friend. David refers to such a betrayal in a future chapter. No matter the relationship, David was reeling in disappointment.
David, from what we can read in background information in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, was not a vengeful character, per se. As a warrior, he would gather his forces and take care of necessary business. He would defend the helpless, but he was not one to avenge his own hurt. He gave it to God in this case. “God”, he seemed to say, “this is what he did to me–-please handle it!”
Thus, these are two important lessons for the reader of this passage. First, words hurt. Words fuel wars, destroy families, and are such powerful weapons that it is a topic covered extensively in both the Old and the New Testaments. Second, God is the final Judge, and it is best for Him to execute judgment no matter the size or cause of the issue. It is a lot safer that way and leaves us out of placing ourselves in the stead of God. There may be a Brother or Sister Cush in your life. Take them to Jesus in prayer–”God, please handle it!”
Prayer
Dear God, we want to love the way You love, and serve the way You serve. Sometimes it is difficult, and almost unbearable. Please handle all the frenemies in our lives, so that we don’t step in Your way. We ask this in the name of Jesus, amen.
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Between the Lines – Psalm 6
Dr. John Maxwell uses a phrase called living “between the lines”. Rather than relishing one extreme of success versus suffering in the other extreme of failure, one should seek to operate somewhere between extremes. David makes a sudden pivot in this passage. Again, without context, he launches into a plea unto God. It is apparent he is sick, struck with a malady, which is near to death. Not unlike Job’s experience, he feels God has something to do with his illness.
This time he is not outlining the merits of his or anyone else’s righteousness, but the Lord’s. He realizes that his only help comes from the Lord. David is full of praise that he wants to extend only to God, but informs God that it is not possible if he is dead! David also appears to be struck with some sickness, something deep within, which is causing him much grief and sorrow. He can’t sleep in contrast to previous chapters, and spends most of the night weeping either from physical pain, mental anguish, or both.
He also recognizes that he is a spectacle to others that apparently are neither his sympathizers nor those that empathize with him. Whether they contributed to the source of his distress is unclear. What is apparent is that whoever they are, they have not extended grace or mercy towards him and instead add to his misery by taunting him or by being dismissive. At some point David experiences a breakthrough with God in his suffering as he can speak with confidence. God has intervened on his behalf, so his oppressors can now leave him alone.
This supports my original thesis in my approach to the Psalms. It can become an emotional rollercoaster of highs and lows. David is not the least bit inhibited in his expressions, which run the complete spectrum between chapters and often within. This chapter is one of those instances. Although context is important, it is not always necessary to comprehend David’s musings. One can read between the lines and somehow insert oneself into the scenario, thus appreciating the full intent.
Prayer
Lord, we remain in Your care. As Your word says, we don’t want so much success that we forget You. We don’t want so much struggle that we turn away from You. Help us live between the lines of Your blessings and Your loving correction. We ask this in the name of Jesus, amen.
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