Fight for Your Faith

Does your faith need strengthening? Are you confused and wondering if Jesus Christ is really "The Way, the Truth, and the Life?" "Fight for Your Faith" is a blog filled with interesting and thought provoking articles to help you find the answers you are seeking. Jesus said, "Seek and ye shall find." In Jeremiah we read, "Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall seek for Me with all your heart." These articles and videos will help you in your search for the Truth.

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Salmo 26 com commentários e Rocha Eterna

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Salmo 26 Um Salmo de David com Comentários de Dennis Edwards

João F. Almeida Atualizada

Salmo 26:1 Julga-me, ó Senhor, pois tenho andado na minha integridade; no Senhor tenho confiado sem vacilar. 


David estava a ser falsamente acusado pelo rei Saul de conspirar contra ele, de tentar “ficar à espreita” para matar Saul e tirar-lhe o reino. Saul acusou ainda o Sumo Sacerdote de estar em conluio com David. “Porque conspirastes contra mim, vós e o filho de Jessé… para que ele se levantasse contra mim e me espreitasse, como hoje se vê?” 1 Samuel 22:13.


É o inimigo da nossa alma que é o acusador dos santos, “que os acusa noite e dia diante do nosso Deus”, Apocalipse 12:10b. Embora o nosso adversário nos acuse, nós “vencemo-lo pelo sangue do Cordeiro e pela palavra do nosso testemunho”, Apocalipse 12:11a. O nosso testemunho é que cremos no nome do Filho unigénito de Deus, “e não negamos o seu nome”, Apocalipse 3:8b.


Porque não negamos o Seu nome, “mas guardamos a palavra da Sua paciência”, por outras palavras, guardamos a Sua palavra mesmo sob o ridículo e a perseguição; “Também nos guardará da hora da tentação que há de vir sobre o mundo inteiro, para tentar os que habitam na terra”, Apocalipse 3:10.


É Deus que “nos guardará de tropeçar, e nos apresentará irrepreensíveis, com grande alegria, perante a sua glória”, Judas 24, porque somos lavados no seu sangue e “não amamos as nossas vidas até à morte”, Apocalipse 12:11b. “Estes são os que vieram da grande tribulação, e lavaram as suas vestes e as branquearam no sangue do Cordeiro,” Apocalipse 7:14b. É “o sangue de Jesus Cristo, seu Filho, que nos purifica de todo o pecado”, 1 João 1:7.


Nós que cremos e obedecemos podemos “estar certos disto mesmo: que aquele que começou boa obra em nós a aperfeiçoará até ao dia de Jesus Cristo”, Filipenses 1:6. “E dou-lhes a vida eterna; e ninguém é capaz de as arrebatar da minha mão. O meu Pai, que mas deu, é maior do que todos; e ninguém pode arrebatá-las da mão de meu Pai”, João 10:28-29.


Salmo 26:2 Examina-me, Senhor, e prova-me; esquadrinha o meu coração e a minha mente. 


David quer ser examinado por Deus, e não pelos falsos juízos dos homens. Quando David agiu insensatamente e contou quantos homens valentes tinha para combater, Deus reprovou-o e ofereceu três formas diferentes de julgamento: 7 anos de fome, 3 meses de vitória dos seus inimigos sobre si, 3 dias de peste. David respondeu: “Estou em grande apuros; “Grandes são as suas misericórdias, e não deixemos todos cair nas mãos dos homens”, 2 Samuel 24:13-14. “É melhor confiar no Senhor do que confiar no homem”, Salmo118:8, que alguns dizem ser o versículo do meio na Bíblia. 


Salmo 26:3 Pois a tua benignidade está diante dos meus olhos, e tenho andado na tua verdade. 


David conhece e experimentou a bondade e a fidelidade de Deus. “As misericórdias do Senhor são a causa de não sermos consumidos, porque as suas misericórdias não têm fim. São novas a cada manhã: Grande é a tua fidelidade.” Lamentações 3:22-23. David andou na verdade de Deus meditando na palavra de Deus de dia e de noite, Salmo 1:2. “A tua palavra é verdadeira desde o princípio”, Salmo 119:160a. Jesus orou ao Pai: “Santifica-os na verdade, a tua palavra é a verdade”, João 17:17. Somos libertos das filosofias e vãs subtilezas deste mundo, das tradições dos homens e dos falsos sistemas de crenças do mundo, que são contrários a Cristo”, Colossenses 2:8, por seguir a luz da palavra de Deus. 


Salmo 26:4-5 Não me tenho assentado com homens falsos, nem associo com dissimuladores. Odeio o ajuntamento de malfeitores; não me sentarei com os ímpios. 


 Estamos no mundo, mas não somos do mundo. Não nos devemos conformar com as modas do mundo, mas com a palavra de Deus. Jesus orou: “Não rogo que os tires do mundo, mas que os guardes do Maligno”, João 17:15. Jesus disse aos Seus discípulos: “Se vós fôsseis do mundo, o mundo vos amaria; mas, porque não sois do mundo, antes Eu vos escolhi do mundo, por isso é que o mundo vos odeia”, João 15:19.


Mas Deus enviou-nos ao mundo para sermos testemunhas, a fim de que a nossa luz brilhe diante dos homens, para que vejam as nossas boas obras e glorifiquem o nosso Pai, que está nos Céus. Jesus disse-nos que “somos o sal da terra”. Ele disse: “Mas se o sal perder o seu sabor, com que se há-de salgá-lo? Para nada mais presta, senão para ser lançado fora e pisado pelos homens”, Mateus 5:13.


O sal na época de Cristo conservava o peixe e a carne para consumo posterior. O sal impedia que o peixe e a carne apodrecessem. Se nós, povo de Deus, perdermos as nossas convicções piedosas, que ajudam a preservar o mundo do pecado, perderemos a nossa utilidade para Deus. O mundo vai por água abaixo porque não defendemos Jesus. Conformamo-nos com o mundo, em vez de convencer o mundo dos seus pecados. Tornamo-nos mornos e Deus avisa-nos: “Eu vomitar-te-ei da minha boca”, Apocalipse 3:16.


Salmo 26:6-7 Lavo as minhas mãos na inocência; e assim, ó Senhor, me acerco do teu altar, para fazer ouvir a voz de louvor, e contar todas as tuas maravilhas. 


O evangelho ou “boas novas” é que fomos libertos da culpa e do poder do pecado e das trevas e fomos transportados para o reino do Filho amado de Deus, em quem temos a redenção pelo seu sangue, até mesmo o perdão dos nossos pecados. Por isso, podemos cantar e regozijar-nos numa salvação tão maravilhosa, pois nem o pecado nem a morte têm domínio sobre nós, Romanos 6. “Porque o salário do pecado é a morte, mas o dom gratuito de Deus é a vida eterna, por Jesus Cristo, nosso Senhor,” Romanos 6:23.


Salmo 26:8 Ó Senhor, eu amo o recinto da tua casa e o lugar onde permanece a tua glória. 


Jesus disse: “Onde estiverem dois ou três juntos em meu nome, aí estou Eu no meio deles”, Mateus 18:20. Por favor, “não deixem de congregar-se, como alguns fazem, mas exortem-se uns aos outros, e tanto mais quanto vedes que se aproxima o Dia”, Hebreus 10:25. Devemos amar comungar com Deus e com os outros crentes sempre que possível. Em caso de perseguição futura, tal pode ser impossível.   

                              

Salmo 26:9-10 Não colhas a minha alma com a dos pecadores, nem a minha vida a dos homens sanguinolentos, em cujas mãos há malefício, e cuja destra está cheia de subornos. 


Os ricos ímpios do mundo usam o seu dinheiro para corromper o julgamento e governar as nações. “Porque os teus mercadores eram os grandes da terra; porque todas as nações foram enganadas pelas suas feitiçarias”, Apocalipse 18:23b. “Não são os ricos que vos oprimem e vos arrastam para o tribunal? Não blasfemam eles o nome digno pelo qual sois chamados? Tiago 2:6b-7. Embora os ricos ímpios conspirem contra Deus e contra os piedosos, Deus os ridicularizará e atormentará no Seu grande desagrado e ira nos últimos dias, Salmo 2:4-5. “A vingança é minha; Eu retribuirei, diz o Senhor”, Romanos 12:19b.


Salmo 26:11-12 Quanto a mim, porém, ando na minha integridade; resgata-me e tem compaixão de mim. O meu pé está firme em terreno plano; nas congregações bendirei ao Senhor.   


David sabe que é o poder redentor e a misericórdia de Deus que o mantém. Nós sabemos o mesmo. “É Deus que é poderoso para vos guardar de tropeçar, e para vos apresentar irrepreensíveis, com grande alegria, perante a sua glória,” Judas 24. 


Portanto, podemos cantar e alegrar-nos, pois é a alegria do Senhor, a alegria da a nossa salvação, a alegria de saber que os nossos pecados foram perdoados pelo sacrifício de Cristo na cruz; que nos dá força para continuar. “Tudo posso naquele que me fortalece”, Filipenses 4:13. 


“Nada trago nas mãos. Simplesmente à Tua Cruz me agarro”, Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-1778). Apeguemo-nos à cruz e encontremos a plenitude da alegria! Amém.



Originalmente publicado 26-01-2025

 

Overcoming Grief in Times of Loss

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A compilation

Audio length: 10:45
Download Audio (9.8MB)

Are you currently mourning or grieving the loss of someone you love? Does the idea of getting beyond the pain and sorrow seem impossible to you? Do peace and comfort seem nonexistent or out of reach?

Jesus’ disciples knew what it meant to mourn and grieve. They had seen Jesus crucified and His body laid in a tomb. One day He was with them, and the next He was gone—or so it must have felt. They’d no doubt had their fair share of tests during the three years they had spent with Jesus. But the test they endured right after His death must have been one of the most difficult.

Since their Master had given them plenty of advance warning concerning His betrayal, crucifixion, death, and resurrection on the third day, you’d think they would have felt better prepared to face everything.1

He had clearly told them, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”2 At the time Jesus spoke these words, His disciples hadn’t fully grasped how soon they would be seeing Him. It seems they thought that He meant in the afterlife, not just three days after His death.

When He was crucified and laid to rest, they wrestled with doubt. They had seen their Master perform miracles of resurrection, but now here He was entombed himself.

Mary Magdalene found them in this dejected, melancholic state of mind on Easter Sunday. When she came running to them with the news of finding the tomb empty and seeing an angel who told her that Jesus had risen, at first they didn’t believe her. That is, until Peter and John went and saw it for themselves.3

When Jesus manifested Himself to them, they discovered that He was more than just “alive.” He could do truly amazing things like appear and disappear, even when doors were shut.4 Later on, He appeared to a couple of His followers as they traveled from Jerusalem to Emmaus. He conversed with them the whole way there, but they were kept from recognizing Him until later that evening when they were having dinner together.5

Through these and many other signs, He convinced His grief-stricken followers that He had indeed been resurrected, and their grief turned to joy, just as He’d told them it would.

This is all well and good, you may be thinking. But how is it supposed to help me get beyond the pain of my own loss?

I know how you must feel. I’m no stranger to the pain of loss myself. My mother passed away in 2004—and dealing with her loss was truly a day-by-day, painstaking process. In an effort to stay “tough” and hide from the pain, I would tell myself, Mom’s gone and that’s that. I’ll see her again, yes, but who knows how long it will be before then? So I may as well tough it out and stay focused on the here and now.

I resigned myself to it for a long time, until it eventually took its toll on me. Thankfully, the Lord and His Holy Spirit began to change my perspective. I studied His Word with an open heart—and realized that we, the followers of Jesus who live today, have just as sure a guarantee of the eventual resurrection of our loved ones who have died as the disciples of old had of the resurrection of Jesus.

Paul says to the Thessalonians, “We do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”6

This realization caused a resurrection to take place in my own soul. The joy which I had allowed to die through my own pain and sorrow was coming to life again. And now my joy continues to grow, and I know that nothing or no one can take it from me.

If you are struggling with the loss of a loved one and wishing you could have that same joy, be comforted in knowing that you can. You can ask God to help you to look beyond the pain and emptiness of your loss to the glorious life to come, when all will be renewed, resurrected, and restored. Then will begin a process of renewal, resurrection, and restoration right in your own heart, as your joy is brought back to life.—Steve Hearts

God’s comfort


If you have lost a loved one to death, you know that it is a painful experience. Jesus understood the pain of losing someone close to His heart. In the book of John, we learn that Jesus lost a loved one named Lazarus.7 Jesus was deeply moved and wept at the loss of His friend. This story, however, doesn’t end in tears. Jesus knew He possessed the power needed to raise Lazarus from the dead. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”8

Jesus overcame death through His resurrection. It is comforting to know that death is not the end for those who believe. Those who know Jesus as Savior will have eternal life.9 God has prepared a new home for us where there will be no more death, tears, or pain.10

Even if we are assured that our loved one is in a better place, we still experience the pain of their absence on earth. It is okay to grieve the loss of your loved one. Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus, even knowing He would bring Lazarus back to life. God is not afraid of our emotions or our questions. We can pour out our burdens on Him and trust in His love to provide us reassurance and comfort.11

We can remember the many good things about our lost loved ones and rejoice in the fact that we were able to share in their lives. We can share stories about the impact our lost loved ones have had on our lives. We might find it comforting to do some of the things our lost loved ones particularly enjoyed or to spend time reminiscing about our lost loved ones with other close relatives and friends. We can also honor their memory by living our lives in a way that brings honor and glory to God.

It is important to remember that God is ultimately the source of our comfort.12 … The Bible tells us that God is the father of mercies and that He will comfort us in all our tribulations.13 Be assured that God loves you and that He understands how much you are hurting. Run to the shelter of the Most High where you will find sweet rest.14—GotQuestions.org15

Faithful friend prayer


God of all comfort, please be near me today. Let your strong presence be felt now and in the coming days. The grief of losing my loved one is so heavy on my heart and mind. I pray that you would come and comfort me. Wrap me up in your tender love. It pains me to lose someone so close to my heart. I struggle to understand, but I know that you’ve seen all this in times past. And in your wisdom, you have chosen to take my beloved family member/friend at this time and in this way. Embrace me, O God, and speak words of assurance and comfort by the Holy Spirit. …

Lord, what a faithful friend we have in you. You carry our sorrows and our griefs and our pain. Thank you for the privilege of taking everything to you in prayer. Remind us when we are overwhelmed with the grief of this great loss that we don’t need to forfeit peace or bear needless pain; we can take our troubled hearts to you. There has never been a faithful friend like you, who shares our sorrows and knows our hearts. Thank you, sweet friend. …

Thank you that I am never alone, that your presence calms the troubled sea of my life and speaks peace to my soul. Your word says that my faith will never be put to shame when my trust is in you. Hear my prayer as I ask for comfort in dealing with the loss of my loved one. Help me to find strength and peace in your presence. Restore joy to my soul. Lord, bless me and keep me, make your face shine upon me. Turn your face towards me and give me peace.—ConnectUs16

Published on Anchor July 2022. Read by Jon Marc.
Music by Michael Dooley.

1 See Matthew 16:21, 17:22, 20:17–18; Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:32–34; Luke 9:21–22, 18:31–33.

2 John 16:22 NIV.

3 John 20:1–4.

4 John 20:19–20.

5 Luke 24:13–31.

6 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 NIV.

7 John 11:1–44.

8 John 11:25–26.

9 John 10:28.

10 Revelation 21:1–4.

11 1 Peter 5:7.

12 2 Corinthians 7:6.

13 2 Corinthians 1:3–4.

14 Psalm 91:1–2.

Psalm 26 with Commentaries and Rock of Ages

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Psalm 26 A Psalm of David with Commentaries by Dennis Edwards

Psalm 26:1 Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in my integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore, I shall not slide.

David was being falsely accused by King Saul of conspiring against him, of seeking to “lie in wait” to kill Saul and take the kingdom from him. Saul, also, accused the High Priest of being in league with David. “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse…that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?” 1 Samuel 22:13.

It is the enemy of our soul who is the accuser of the saints, “who accuses them night and day before our God,” Revelation 12:10b. Though our adversary accuses us, we have “overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony,” Revelation 12:11a. Our testimony is that we have believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God, “and have not denied His name,” Revelation 3:8b.

Because we have not denied His name, “but have kept the word of His patience,” in other words, we have kept His word even under ridicule and persecution; “He also will keep us from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth,” Revelation 3:10.

It is God that will “keep us from falling, and present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,” Jude 24, because we are washed in His blood and “have loved not our lives even unto death, Revelation 12:11b. “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,” Revelation 7:14b. It is “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son (that) cleanses us from all sin,” 1 John 1:7.

We that have believed and obeyed can “be confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 1:6. “And I give unto them eternal life; and no man is able to pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them (to) Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand,” John 10:28-29.

Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

David wants to be examined by God, and not by the false judgments of man.

Psalm 26:3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes: and I have walked in Your truth.

David knows and has experienced God’s loving-kindness and faithfulness. “It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 David has walked in God’s truth by meditating of God’s word day and night, Psalm 1:2. “Your word is true from the beginning,” Psalm 119:160a. 

Jesus prayed to His Father, “Sanctify them through Your truth, Your word is truth,” John 1717. It is by continuing in God’s word that we know the truth and it is the truth that sets us free, John 8:31-32. We are freed from the philosophies and vain deceit of this world, from the traditions of men, and from the false belief systems of the world that are contrary to Christ,” Colossians 2:8, through following the light of God’s word..

Psalm 26:4-5 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.

We are in the world, but not of the world. We must not conform to the fashions of the world, but to the word of God. Jesus prayed, “I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil,” John 17:15. Jesus told His disciples, “If you were of the world, the world would love you: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you,” John 15:19.

But God has sent us into the world to be a witness, to let our lights so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven, Matthew 5:16. Jesus told us we “are the salt of the earth.” He said, “but if the salt has lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men,” Matthew 5:13.

Salt in the time of Christ preserved fish and meat for later consumption. The salt kept fish and meat from going rotten. If we, God’s people, lose our Godly convictions, which help preserve the world from sin, we have lost our usefulness for God. The world goes downhill, because we don’t stand up for Jesus. We conform to the world, instead of convicting the world of their sin. We become lukewarm and God warns us, “I will spew you out of My mouth,” Revelation 3:16.

Psalm 26:6-7 I will wash my hands in innocence: so, will I compass Your altar, O Lord: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works.

The gospel or “good news” is that we have been freed from the guilt and the power of sin and of darkness and have been translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son, in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of (our) sins, Colossians 1:13. Therefore, we can sing and rejoice in such a wonderful salvation for neither sin nor death have dominion over us, Romans 6. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,” Romans 6:23.

Psalm 26:8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your honour dwells.

Jesus said, “Where two or three are together in My name, there am I in the midst of them,” Matthew 18:20. Please do “not forsake the assembling of yourselves together as some do, but exhort one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching,” Hebrews 10:25. We should love to commune with God with other believers as often as possible. Under future persecution it may be impossible.

Psalm 26:9-10 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.

The ungodly rich of the world use their money to corrupt judgment and rule nations. “For your merchants were the great men of the earth; for by their sorceries were all nations deceived,” Revelation 18:23b. “Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seat? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by which you are called? James 2:6b-7. Though the ungodly rich conspire against God, and against the Godly, God shall have them in derision and vex them in His sore displeasure and wrath in the last days, Psalm 2:4-5. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord,” Romans 12:19b.

Psalm 26:11-12 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot stands in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord.

David knows it is God’s redeeming power and mercy that keeps him. We know the same. “It is God that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,” Jude 24. Therefore, we can sing and rejoice, for it is the joy of the Lord, the joy of our salvation, the joy of knowing our sins have been forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross; that gives us the strength to carry on. “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me,” Philippians 4:13. “Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to Your Cross I cling,” Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-1778). Let us cling to the cross and find fulness of joy! Amen?

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure, Save me from its guilt and power.

Not the labour of my hands, Can fulfil Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow,
All could never sin erase, Thou must save, and save by grace.

Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress, Helpless, look to Thee for grace:
Foul, I to the fountain fly, Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.


Originally Published  January 25, 2025


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