When your back is against the wall you know have to know not only where to look (to God) but also where not to look -- and the psalmist explores that in vv. 155, 157-158. Here are his words:
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
...
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
yet I do not swerve from your decrees.
158 I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
The psalmist has enemies who neither know the Torah nor respect God. They are out to get him and put him to death. In fact, they've got him cornered as he writes this prayer to God.
He names them for what they are: "wicked" (reshaim), "persecutors" and "adversaries," and he sees them as "faithless" (from bagal -- treacherous, deceitful).
He knows their behaviors: "they do not seek your statutes" and "they do not keep your commands".
He knows what he must do -- stay the course by looking to God, trusting in God, and observing the Torah and avoid the course of action his enemies have chosen.
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Marcia,
The situation I referred to is briefly summarized in the current issue of Christianity Today in an article called "Day of Reckoning." It was a very difficult set of circumstances to navigate, and the cost was extremely high for me, my husband, and our children.
I'll ponder your question re. Bonhoeffer and comment later. I must go to work now.
Oh, in my many attempts at commenting I somehow lost the part where I said that I realized that this wasn't exactly the same thing you were talking about, CAS, but that I was following along just the same.
I think it's very interesting that in this post we are looking at scripture teaching us to call out to God, and in the other thread, we are looking at what happens when God doesnt seem to answer of cry for help.
The most confusing stories of all are the ones where people are calling out to God for intimacy, and he doesnt seem to hear or answer.
Marcia,
Hindsight obviously allows us to empathize with Bonhoeffer's plot to assasinate a genocidal sociopath. We wish he had done it. Things don't work out so neatly in real life as they do in our fantasies, however. It's not quite the same scenario, but our government, was, I believe, involved in putting Sadam Hussein into power, and now in overthrowing him, and look at the quagmire.
As to the idea of lying, murdering, etc. for a greater good. That's sticky. I reject utilitarian reasoning. But Rahab is commended in Hebrews and her faith included some deception to protect another. Where does that leave us? It leaves us with the fact that life is messy, and we do the best we can, in the power of the Spirit, to do the right thing.
A pastor I know once said even our best deeds are tainted by sin. That's the part that will be burned up and tossed into the fire. What's left as a work of the Spirit will have its reward.
Sometimes we have no choice but to act and live with the consequences.
Yes. Avoid fighting fire with fire. Avoid stooping to their level in retaliating. But look to God, in faith in him and his promises.
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