God Gives Victory to the Righteous

God Destroys those who Tell Lies

Psalm 5: 1-12 NIV

Listen to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.
Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people are not welcome.
The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.

Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make your way straight before me.
Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongues they tell lies.
Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Truth vs. Lie

Yesterday, [September 3], the case of my daughter against her husband went on trial, the first and last. I saw it as a straightforward she said/he said type case. The testimony of each of the protagonists, which were given under the questioning of the defense and crown lawyers, were heard. The judge saw it as a simple case of who is telling the truth between the two and rendered judgment accordingly.

The case began February 20th of this year, when my daughter and her husband had an argument, one of so many. In the middle of it the husband threatened to kill the wife. I, my wife, two grandsons and my son were in the house at that time but we were not aware of the fight. The threat was given in these colorful words: "If you leave me you'll be dead before you can get out of the door." [not the exact words]. The argument proved to be the last one they will have in their home.

Police officers were called. They got the statement of my daughter and they arrested the husband, who did not offer resistance. Up to the time of the trial and termination of the case he was not able to come dwell in their matrimonial home - a long period of six months.

My daughter in court testified that he threatened to kill her; that she was frightened by it. She elaborated that during the argument she told the husband she might leave their home and leave him for good. [This probably elicited the threat]. In addition, she testified that the same kind of threat and almost of the same words were given twice before.

The husband denied categorically he gave the threat only after playing with words and under the cajoling of the cross examiner. At the same time, under the scalpel of the cross examination by the crown lawyer, he got caught inconsistent a few times. He stated vehemently that the wife was lying about the threat. I was there and I felt he was altogether lying about it all.

The judge saw that my daughter's testimony was credible while the husband's was a lie. As being normally done, he went through the testimonies of both and stated his reactions and belief of what really happened.
At the end he pronounced his verdict: the husband is guilty as charged.

Epilogue
The Riches of the Glory of God

My daughter didn't want the trouble that befall her husband. In fact, she called him a day before the trial that she will drop the case if it's possible.

Before the trial began, the husband was told the case will be dropped if he says he is sorry about the incident. But he refused the offer.

My daughter cannot believe what the husband was doing to himself. She asked me to talk to him if given the chance. I told her this: God has hardened the husband's heart. As a result he fought the charge against him. And the unfortunate thing happened - judgment of guilt and jail time is possible. [read Exodus 14:1-4]

The ultimate purpose of God in this is to show the riches of his glory. And what is the glory of God? In this particular case, he showed his power over anyone, i.e., he destroys the wicked in order to protect and preserve his children's lives. [read: Romans 9: 22-25]

Can anyone question God's compassion on the husband? I ask in return: Can any man be more compassionate than God? Didn't he sacrifice his Son for anyone who believes? He did. His Son was crucified for everyone's sake. But one must accept the pardon, resolve not to sin no more and walk the straight path.

Related story: Two Stories, One Message No. 3