They have greatly oppressed me from my youth— let Israel say - they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me. Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long. But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked. (Psalm 129:1-4)
I’ve been reading through the Old Testament, and I see over and over how God’s servants are mistreated and oppressed. This happens in our day as well. Whether is other people the enemy uses, or Satan himself having a field day coming against us, we can feel oppressed, abused, injured and bound in any number of ways.
It could be circumstances in our lives. Perhaps it is sin that has entangled and caught you in its web. Maybe it is just feeling victimized by others and their actions. Maybe it is being bullied just for being who you are. No matter what, we all go through something like this during the course of our lives, whether at the hands of others, ourselves, or circumstances and events beyond our control.
So, what do we do and how do we handle the cords of adversity in our lives? Today’s scripture from Psalm 129 offers a clue. This psalm offers us the secret to winning regardless of the circumstances: no matter what happens, we have the freedom to choose our attitude. The psalmist’s attitude is that he will not allow those who oppressed him to have victory over him. How could he say that (you may wonder) when plowmen have plowed his back and made their furrows long? Obviously, the writer of this psalm, whether literally or figuratively, had some deep wounds at the hands of others.
The reason is this: the psalmist, like you and I, (despite the injurious behaviors of others) decided not to allow those who hurt him to have victory over him. Likewise, the psalmist placed his belief and faith in God. He still spoke of God’s immutable qualities: His righteousness and declared that the LORD cut him free from the chords of the wicked.
The chords of the wicked, again, can represent many things. They may be the entanglement of sin, such as an addiction. They may be the lies that Satan uses to fill your head with thoughts of worthlessness, guilt, or lack in some area or another. The chords may be the offhand or even mean-spirited comments of others, meant to hurt, maim or even kill. The chords may be real physical injuries from a family member, relative, friend or foe.
Just as a little tugboat would cut the hawser (the rope cords) to a sinking ship, so that it doesn’t go down with the ship when in danger, you will need to cut the chords that are binding you. In this case, the chords are pulling you down, mentally, emotionally, physically, or spiritually.
Where the injury came from is less important than what we do in response to it. We do not have to become victims, tied to thoughts of anger, hatred, or even retribution that we may be feeling for the perpetrator. Rather, we can free ourselves through faith in the Almighty to set the record straight. We can place our trust in God to take vengeance when and where He will, and for God to heal our hearts, minds, emotions, thoughts and our very lives. We must decide to let go and let God be in control. And we must decide that no matter what the enemy may do to the body, what cannot be taken away are things that matter most: our faith, dignity, attitudes and thoughts. We are free to determine those no matter what.
So, lift up your heart, mind and voice to God and ask Him to help you cut the chords that bind us as victims. Decide what you will believe. And choose this day to trust and serve the LORD. You will be glad you did. Selah.