Day 229 The God Who Fights for You

The God Who Fights for You

by Torrie Slaughter

Reading Focus: Psalm 35:1–16

Staying devoted to God while rebuilding requires the courage to let Him fight your battles. Psalm 35:1–16 shows us how to bring our pain, injustice, and betrayal before the Lord—trusting His justice instead of being distracted by the urge to defend ourselves.

“Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.” (v. 1)
David doesn’t open with a casual prayer—he cries out for God to rise up as his defender. There’s an urgency here, a recognition that some battles are not ours to fight in our own strength. When false accusations or unjust attacks come, our first move should be to call on the One who knows how to protect His people.

“Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.” (v. 2)
This is not a passive picture of God—it’s the image of a warrior who steps into the fray for His beloved. Knowing that God fights for us frees our hands from retaliation and keeps our focus on remaining faithful to His work.

“Say to me, ‘I am your salvation.’” (v. 3)
In the heat of battle, we don’t just need God’s action—we need His assurance. Hearing His voice over the noise of fear and opposition is what steadies our hearts.

“May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame… may they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away.” (vv. 4–5)
David prays for God’s justice to overturn his enemies’ schemes. This isn’t about taking revenge—it’s about trusting God to bring the right outcome at the right time. When we hand over the gavel to Him, we can keep building without being consumed by bitterness.

“Since they hid their net for me without cause… may the net they hid entangle them.” (vv. 7–8)
David asks God to let the enemy’s plans backfire. It’s a reminder that no trap set against God’s people can ultimately succeed when He is their defender.

“Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.” (v. 9)
Notice that David’s praise is tied to God’s deliverance—not his own cleverness or strength. True devotion celebrates the victory God brings, not the one we manufacture.

“You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.” (v. 10)
This is God’s heart on display: He defends the vulnerable and lifts the powerless. Knowing this allows us to rest, even when opposition feels overwhelming.

“They repay me evil for good… Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting.”(vv. 12–13)
David’s compassion for his enemies—even as they attacked him—is a foreshadowing of Christ’s command to love those who persecute us. That kind of mercy keeps our hearts soft and our devotion intact.

“But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee… they slandered me without ceasing.” (vv. 15–16)
The cruelty of betrayal is real, but so is God’s ability to heal the wounds it leaves. David doesn’t hide the pain—he pours it out before the Lord, choosing trust over retaliation.

Psalm 35:1–16 teaches us that remaining devoted without distraction means we stop fighting every battle in our own strength. We hand over our defense to God, allowing Him to protect, vindicate, and lead us. This posture frees us to keep building what He’s called us to, without being consumed by offense or fear.

Prayer:
Lord, You are my defender, my shield, and my salvation. Teach me to trust You with every battle—especially the ones I’m tempted to fight on my own. Keep my heart soft toward others, even those who oppose me, and protect me from the distraction of offense. Let me remain faithful in the work You’ve given me, confident that You will contend for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.