While I was a student at college, my roommate accused me of stealing $100 from him. He didn't confront me directly, but spread his lie among his friends and reported it to the dean's office. The incident was thoroughly investigated, as it should have been.

It was the most helpless experience I have ever faced. All I could do was say, "I didn't do it." But those words seemed hollow against the accusation and rumor.

I didn't know what to do. Part of me wanted to knock the truth out of my roommate. Another part wanted to contact all who heard about it and tell them I was innocent. Only later did my accuser admit that he had faked the theft to get money out of his parents for a stereo.

King David had a similar experience. Someone was making terrible accusations against him, undermining his position and causing him much grief (Ps. 109:2-4).

So what did David do? Did he use his authority to have his accuser killed? No, he prayed and asked the Lord to intercede, punish the slanderer, and make it right (vv.4-29).

When someone spreads false rumors about us, we may want to retaliate. How much better it is to answer our accusers with the power of prayer!  — David C. Egner