For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life
– Psalm 35:7
Christians will face much opposition in their lives seemingly “without cause.” Here David describes the intent of his enemies against him: they were pursuing his life without a justified reason. Their murderous intentions were baseless, animalistic—one could even say demonic. Satan plots to destroy God’s chosen saints often by stirring up mayhem in the hearts of those who hate the God of the Bible. Where is Satan’s wrath displayed most vividly? Through the irrational opposition of unbelievers, against the saints of the Lord, for the purpose of their destruction.
When Martin Luther faced the Diet of Worms in 1521, the council laid out all his books and asked him plainly, “Do you recant?” Luther took a whole night to pray and consider this question. He believed satanic forces were working against the Reformation in Europe. But after prayerful resolve—like we see from David in this Psalm—Luther stood with the boldness of a lion: “my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. So help me God. Amen.” Luther simply wanted to let the Bible shine clearly. To be specific, he wanted the gospel of free grace—justification by faith in Christ alone—to shine forth from the Word. His enemies? “Without cause they hid their net” for him. The enemies of God will do everything in their power to destroy the progress of the gospel.
Why do I spend time detailing the example of Luther’s boldness? Is it not for this reason, that though the gospel is proclaimed freely in our country now, there are certainly forces of evil working against the Church to shut down the preaching of the gospel “without cause.” There are those who hide their nets and dig their pits waiting to reprimand, punish, imprison—and yes, even kill—Christians. Though we still enjoy much freedom, we are never far from David’s experience. Simply ask believers who came out of the Soviet Union, Mao’s China, or Nigeria’s bloodbath. David’s experience in this psalm is not uncommon for many of our brothers and sisters around the world.
Moreover, the record of Acts shows us that proclaiming the gospel will inevitably stir up the madness and mayhem of Christ-hating hearts. The religious leaders were “greatly annoyed” at Peter and John “because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2). When the Jews heard Stephen’s preaching they were “enraged” and “ground their teeth at him,” hurling stones to murder him (Acts 7:54–60). Before he met Christ, Paul, (then named Saul), “ravaged” the church, sending out warrants and dragging believers prison. After he met Christ, Paul’s preaching stirred up riots in many towns he preached (Acts 17:5).
Does this surprise you? It shouldn’t. Did not our Lord say “They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God” (John 16:2). Does not Satan “come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short” (Rev 12:12)? Will not all who desire to live a godly life in Christ be persecuted (2 Tim 3:12)?
“Fear not,” says the Lord, “for I am with you … I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa 41:10)
How can we be assured of these promises? We look to Christ. Our Lord was truly hated “without cause.” There was no sin in his heart, in his mind, from his lips. They could not find an accusation, but they had dug their pit against him. They had laid the most despicable net of the world—the cross of calvary.
But what did our Lord do? “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth” (Isa 53:7). He entrusted his life to his Father, knowing the joy set before him was greater than his earthly sufferings.
Is not our eternity full of endless joy, peace, love, and bliss? What then are the pits and nets of our enemies? Ah—they are nothing but an invitation to suffer alongside our Savior, to know him more deeply than we ever have before, and long for that heavenly country.
Jesus reminds us: “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Do you face scorn, mockery, threats, loss of work, imprisonment—or even death—for the gospel? Though it seems “without cause” to you, entrust yourself to the One who works “all things” with cause: your good, and the eternal glory of Jesus Christ.
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