Praying for your enemies

 Psalm 83:1–18 (ESV):  

1  O God, do not keep silence; 

do not hold your peace or be still, O God! 

 2  For behold, your enemies make an uproar; 

those who hate you have raised their heads. 

 3  They lay crafty plans against your people; 

they consult together against your treasured ones. 

 4  They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; 

let the name of Israel be remembered no more!” 

 5  For they conspire with one accord; 

against you they make a covenant— 

 6  the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, 

Moab and the Hagrites, 

 7  Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, 

Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 

 8  Asshur also has joined them; 

they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah 

 9  Do to them as you did to Midian, 

as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, 

 10  who were destroyed at En-dor, 

who became dung for the ground. 

 11  Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, 

all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 

 12  who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves 

of the pastures of God.” 

 13  O my God, make them like whirling dust, 

like chaff before the wind. 

 14  As fire consumes the forest, 

as the flame sets the mountains ablaze, 

 15  so may you pursue them with your tempest 

and terrify them with your hurricane! 

 16  Fill their faces with shame, 

that they may seek your name, O Lord. 

 17  Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; 

let them perish in disgrace, 

 18  that they may know that you alone, 

whose name is the Lord, 

are the Most High over all the earth. 

This is certainly a prayer of frustration, Asaph has had enough of the irritating behaviour of the enemies of Israel. He knows who they are, he names them and asks for God to wipe them out. He is fed up of his nation being threatened and harassed by so many others, so he asks God to radically deal with these enemies. The people of God have a lot of enemies and they will always have someone out to get them. The enemy will cause defeat and disasters and entice people to act on his behalf, so those that belong to God are going to have a hard time. Life can feel like a battle, but i heard someone say the other day - suffering happens just because you are human, so would you rather go though these struggles with or without God?! It is a great question to ponder. Some people allow the frustrations, problems and battles to destroy their faith, instead of allowing their faith to destroy their enemies. 

Asaph feels like not just that his life is problematic, but that the whole of the nation is in trouble. Yet he does not allow the trouble to define his faith, but he allows his faith and knowledge of God reframe the problem. Asaph not only recounts the numerous enemies, and the vastness of the situation, but also remembers the bigness of God, and numerous times God has brought salvation for Israel. Asaph knows that the greatest way to fight and reduce the enemies power is to pray. So he prays that these enemies will become as ‘whirling dust' and that they would be so humbled and depleted that those left will be ashamed of their behaviour. He has read and heard about the previous times that God has saved Israel, so he has faith in the power and authority of God to do it again. He is certain that when God turns His face towards Israel, they will be restored and the enemies devastated. 

What is your response when you feel got at, disappointed, angered and like you have a battle to face? Do you approach God to tell Him what is going on and trust Him to act in such a way that brings relief and rescue, and will even cause the enemies to recognise the mightiness of God? 

Asaph seems to change his mind through the psalm as to what he wants to happen to these foes. At first he speaks of the enemies being ‘destroyed’, and ‘dung for the ground’. However, verses 15-18 show that Asaph has a different outcome that he desires. For he asks that these enemies will be terrified and shamed by God. So that, ‘they may seek your name, O Lord’. Maybe this was influenced by the Holy Spirit as Asaph became more passionate in prayer and the Holy Spirit guided him in his words, so that he could see a greater outcome than complete annihilation. For which would be better; That the enemies not only bow their knees and heads to Israel, but to ‘the Most High over all the earth’ or that they were simply destroyed? 

The desire through any trouble, difficult circumstance or battle should be that God will be seen and known. That He is seen to protect and fight for those who love and obey Him, and that He can and will forgive and save the enemies of His people if they humble themselves and repent. No person is too great an enemy of God or his people that they cannot come to know the love and power of Almighty God. I mean, consider Saul becoming Paul - what a miraculous salvation occurred in his life! (Acts 9) When you see people persecuting those loved by God, why not pray like Asaph does, that their power will be destroyed, and that they will recognise the glory, majesty and terrifying power of the Lord God? Imagine the impact of a few modern day Paul stories - how would that change your life, your town, your nation or even the world?! 

So, why not pray like Asaph did? Ask God to pursue those enemies, to terrify them so that they seek the name of God. Then they will humble themselves in shame and repentence and glorify the Most High over all the earth. Surely, better than the demise and destruction of any enemy, it is better to see them acknowledging their sin and turning in shame to God. Living the rest of their lives in the humble realisation that God is Most High. If Saul hadn’t of had that encounter and become Paul can you imagine what would not have happened? For a start, almost half the books in the New Testament would not exist! We are grateful for and marvel at Saul’s conversion, but that happened after years of him tormenting and persecuting God’s own. People would have been praying for his reputation and power to end, and it did, just not in the way most people expected. This event and encounter in one man’s life led to the gospel spreading, churches built, the gentiles receiving salvation and other leaders invested in and grown. All because an enemy of God was terrified, humbled and ashamed, and was able to receive the forgiveness and salvation that God invites everyone to enjoy. Who do you need to pray for today so that God’s name can be glorified and His goodness spread throughout the Earth once again?

the inward mind and heart of a man are deep

 Psalm 64:1–10 (ESV):  

1  Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; 

preserve my life from dread of the enemy. 

2  Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, 

from the throng of evildoers, 

3  who whet their tongues like swords, 

who aim bitter words like arrows, 

4  shooting from ambush at the blameless, 

shooting at him suddenly and without fear. 

5  They hold fast to their evil purpose; 

they talk of laying snares secretly, 

thinking, “Who can see them?” 

6  They search out injustice, 

saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.” 

For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep. 

7  But God shoots his arrow at them; 

they are wounded suddenly. 

8  They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; 

all who see them will wag their heads. 

9  Then all mankind fears; 

they tell what God has brought about 

and ponder what he has done. 

10  Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord 

and take refuge in him! 

Let all the upright in heart exult! 

Words can easily entangle and lead us down a path we never really intended on going down. This psalm can remind us how the words of deception, rumours and lies spread, and build into becoming swords, arrows and snares. The little quips and comments grow to transform people into enemies, this is what happened to David. It is bad enough having one person lying about you, saying horrible things and plotting against you, but David had a ‘throng of evildoers’ against him. How did that happen? These enemies and their schemes all started somewhere. There was one moment when something was done or said that has taken over and spiralled. One disagreement, angry word, disappointment, error, jealousy or miscommunication has led to people becoming disgruntled, conniving enemies. It may not even have been anything to do with what David has done or said. People can become our enemies for many reasons. Yet, just because someone is railing against you, doesn’t mean you should do the same. David recognised this. It is important, even when people are horrible to you, to deal with them well - To live above reproach. David did not; shout things back, sneak around after them, try to catch them out or even confront and fight them. He could have done - he was a powerful, mighty king! Even though he could have fought, and won, he did not take matters into his own hands. He could have permanently got rid of these troublesome, lying, deceitful, wicked plotters who attacked him. Instead, David preferred God's way. He talked to God about it and trusted in His eventual salvation, knowing that God’s way is better. David did not repay evil for evil, but he patiently waited for God to start shooting His arrows instead of shooting his own. For David knew that God would transform the situation and cause these enemies to be on the run and descend into ruin because they are attacking God’s man. God preserves and fights for those who love Him, so David was assured that he would not only be rescued by God from this situation, but that it would also be for the benefit other believers too. As they would see God come through and rejoice! (V10). What is your response when people behave like enemies towards you?

It is important as mentioned above, to ensure that you are living above reproach in every circumstance. To make sure that even if people treat you badly, you do not do the same to them. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:39, "I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”. Jesus' advice - Do not try to squash the behaviour of those acting badly, but let them do it! By that you are showing love and mercy like God does to us. Do not allow yourself to retaliate or become angry, for that is not godliness and you will just end up behaving the same way as those against you and become wicked yourself. Consider the disciples in the book of Acts, they undergo terrible treatment, but do not react in their own strength. They endure torture and imprisonment and glorify and trust in God through it. They did not retaliate, fight or argue back. Instead they imitated their saviour in their loving and merciful responses to those who became their enemies. They are great examples of living a painful, but dedicated life to God. They lived their life fully for Him and that meant they didn’t always behave in the way they wanted to. The disciples understood that Jesus had shown that the battle is not really theirs, that even the enemies are not fighting you, but the godliness that is within. They also realised that any argument or physical fight is not going to change the heart or mindset of the wicked. Only the love and mercy of God can do that. Do you allow this to be the case when you have enemies? Or do you roll your sleeves up ready for a fight?

David also gives us an insight in this psalm that people have many reasons for doing things as, ‘The inward mind and heart of a man are deep’. David has realised that all people have; fears, hurts, joys and hopes which combine to influence their behaviour. David recognises that there are many reasons why someone will act in a certain way because they are ‘deep’. Some get carried away, follow others, respond out of heartache, try to provide security - there are many explanations of why people behave as they do because we are complex creatures. Friends and enemies have reasons to be such, and predominantly it is not because of you. It is because of the deep things that are going on inside of them. The behaviour and decisions a person makes are often not due to one experience or one comment, but there are many thoughts, values and experiences that lead to it. Those who live righteously and those who live wickedly choose to do so as a result of the internal processing of many ideas, ideals, experiences and goals. The things that mould a person into who they become are many and complicated, and they impact how they treat others. 

When you are on the receiving end of poor behaviour or wickedness, it is easy to consider the person or people involved as wicked. Yet you do not know the inner depths of each person for, ‘The inward mind and heart of a man are deep’. You do not know that they have been through, or why they are acting as they are. Sometimes these people may even seem quite nice and honourable, as they may act wickedly towards you, but they also can seem righteous or good at times! (v5-6) People are complex creatures, we all are. We all have different motivations and reasons for being like we are. We can even seem nice to some and horrid to others. David has noticed how even those plotting evil diligently against him, ‘search out injustice’. Yet they themselves are unjust in their words and actions towards him. It is a conundrum, but not one that any of us can solve by worrying about it. Instead, David does the only thing he can - talks to God about it - the One who knows the innermost being of every man and woman, and he trusts Him to sort it out. David is certain God will bring about the right course of action, and he will wait for it. For now, until his rescue comes, David will take refuge in speaking with God, trusting in His protection, for the time will come when ‘God shoots his arrows’ at these evildoers, and the people of God will, ‘rejoice in the Lord’ for the victory God has brought about. So instead of preparing to fight, why not take guidance from David, who did not roll up his sleeves and prepare for a battle when people plotted against him, but talked to God, carried on his everyday life and waited and trusted in the love and mercy of God to bring salvation and reason for all of God's people to rejoice?

 

Dealing with hypocrisy

 Psalm 41:1–13 (ESV):  

1 Blessed is the one who considers the poor! 

In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; 

2  the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; 

he is called blessed in the land; 

you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. 

3  The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; 

in his illness you restore him to full health. 

4  As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; 

heal me, for I have sinned against you!” 

5  My enemies say of me in malice, 

“When will he die, and his name perish?” 

6  And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, 

while his heart gathers iniquity; 

when he goes out, he tells it abroad. 

7  All who hate me whisper together about me; 

they imagine the worst for me. 

8  They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him; 

he will not rise again from where he lies.” 

9  Even my close friend in whom I trusted, 

who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. 

10  But you, O Lord, be gracious to me, 

and raise me up, that I may repay them! 

11  By this I know that you delight in me: 

my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. 

12  But you have upheld me because of my integrity, 

and set me in your presence forever. 

13  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, 

from everlasting to everlasting! 

Amen and Amen. 

In these verses we see how David starts generically talking about how God blesses, ‘the one who considers the poor’. He then applies this to his life and realises that considering those that have less or are weaker than yourself somehow leads to God’s blessing. Showing mercy, being courteous, kind and demonstrating compassion to those who need it means that in some way you earn God’s favour. If you do it with the right motives of course, as God sees the heart and intention of your actions. 

David then considers how this relates to his present position. He recognises that although he is very ill, yet, ‘The Lord sustains him’. Not only that, but he is aware that God is also; restoring him, has given him favour throughout his country, has not given up on him or given him over to his enemies. David acknowledges that despite the current pain and suffering, he is still blessed! God is still showing favour to him and David puts this down to the fact that he has shown kindness and compassion to those who are poor and needy, and has done his best to be a man of integrity living his life following God. David considers himself blessed even at this time when he is significantly ill and repentant. He is waiting for, yet assured of, the fact that God will restore him both physically and spiritually, because although he knows he is not perfect, he has lived his life doing his best to honour God and consider others. 

This season was not easy for David. Although he was assured of God’s blessing and mercy, he still had to endure the discomfort physically, spiritually and emotionally. It still hurt, he still suffered. David tells us that there are people that are visiting him that are awaiting his death and spreading news of his demise. Those that should have shown concern for his current illness are actually gathering to see if it will finish him off and then spreading rumours of his decline. Yet David knew that he was being healed and restored. Therefore there must have been signs of improvement but these people chose not to see it and certainly did not want it. These people, even close friends, went to see him pretending to have concern and compassion, but instead of trying to help or hope for his recovery they spread false rumours that, ‘he will not rise again’. These people weren’t just any visitors either for they have intimate access to the king. So they must have been trusted advisers, friends, courtiers, influential people in David’s realm. Not everyone would have access to the chambers of the king especially when he was weak, only significant people in the king's life would have the permission to see him. Yet these people abused their privilege and showed their real character through this time of David’s suffering. They revealed that they are not friends or trusted counsellors but enemies instead of caring for David and showing concern for his decline they revelled in it. What a heartbreaking situation to find yourself in. When those you care about, trust, love and have built life with, root for your destruction. Not only was David dealing with repentance, blessing and illness, he also had to deal with the emotional upheaval of changing relationships. They thought he would be able to do nothing about their altered attitudes as they waited expectantly for his death. Yet he knew their thoughts and actions and was given confidence that, ‘my enemy will not shout in triumph over me’. God must have shown David that his recovery was coming as he knew he was not as unwell as others desired. He was certain that God was upholding him because of his integrity, due to his behaviour towards God and others so he was assured that this season would result in full health and restoration and the blessing of God.

Times of trouble can reveal who is really for you and who is not. David began to recognise that some people were hypocritical and had transformed themselves from close counsellors into enemies. Yet he did not do anything about it whilst he was unwell. He waited. He did not throw them out or prevent them from coming to see him. Maybe he was waiting to gather further evidence to see if his concerns were validated. He did not react out of fear or anger, but knew that God would deal with them and that he would have an opportunity to, ‘repay them’. He had a God-given assurance that in good time, all would be made right. Even though experiencing hypocrisy is infuriating, it does not always need calling out and confronting straight away. Allow yourself time to consider the circumstances, the person and talk to God about it like David did. It will be frustrating, feel powerless and painful, but God will show you how to deal with such people. Their comeuppance is coming, you need to ensure that you continue to live with integrity and maintain your own good conduct and character. David was determined to do this - to maintain his right standing before God, to not respond until he was fully recovered and to allow God to influence how to deal with these deceitful people. So if you find yourself having to deal with a similar situation, do not rush to react or let your emotions get out of hand. Instead trust that God will reveal truth and restore you. He will not allow the enemies of His dedicated followers prevail. He didn’t allow that for David, and He won’t allow that for you. So, keep; praying, waiting and trusting that God sees and knows all. He will sustain and restore you too. So, when you suffer, when you have times of trial, when people disappoint and come against you - keep mindful about what God is doing, who He is and what you can expect of Him. Consider your relationship with Him and your behaviour towards others. David was confident that he would be restored and his name and integrity upheld. God will do the same for you as you continue to walk with Him, lead a life of integrity and care for the poor. Ensure that you live a life that allows you with full confidence to say along with David that God has, 'upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.

When friends become enemies, what do you do?

 Psalm 35:1–28 (ESV):  

1  Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; 

fight against those who fight against me! 

2  Take hold of shield and buckler 

and rise for my help! 

3  Draw the spear and javelin 

against my pursuers! 

Say to my soul, 

“I am your salvation!” 

4  Let them be put to shame and dishonour 

who seek after my life! 

Let them be turned back and disappointed 

who devise evil against me! 

5  Let them be like chaff before the wind, 

with the angel of the Lord driving them away! 

6  Let their way be dark and slippery, 

with the angel of the Lord pursuing them! 

7  For without cause they hid their net for me; 

without cause they dug a pit for my life. 

8  Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it! 

And let the net that he hid ensnare him; 

let him fall into it—to his destruction! 

9  Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord, 

exulting in his salvation. 

10  All my bones shall say, 

“O Lord, who is like you, 

delivering the poor 

from him who is too strong for him, 

the poor and needy from him who robs him?” 

11  Malicious witnesses rise up; 

they ask me of things that I do not know. 

12  They repay me evil for good; 

my soul is bereft. 

David is telling of a time when he was unfairly harassed and persecuted. He did not deserve it, and he really suffered at the hands of his former friends; emotionally as well as physically. David could not think of any harm he had committed, he had been kind to them, and then one day, those he once worked with turned against him for no apparent reason. Have you ever been in such a position? Where once those you’ve liked, loved, worked well with, became enemies? If so, do not fear, it is not your fault. This just clearly show how the devil and his army is at work. He will use and manipulate people to make your life difficult. There won’t necessarily be a reason other than the fact that you’re doing your best to honour God with your life. This is the reality for God’s people whether you’re a king like David, a cleaner, home maker, minister, cashier, office worker, engineer, retired or anything else. The reality is there will be people out to get you just because you stand for a kingdom they do not and they have been enticed into evil by the devil. This is the situation David is describing. 

Even though you can understand where the attack is coming from, it is still painful. David knew and he still suffered. So, David told God about it all - what was going on and how he felt, and he asked Him to intervene. David needed help to remember who he is, not to be persuaded by the words others were speaking about him or to start to believe the falsehoods that were being spread. He asked that God would save him and cause the enemy to get caught in their own schemes. 

David realised that there was no point in him fighting for himself, this was not simply a matter of people being mistaken and being able to be corrected. Therefore it would be pointless to try to stand up for himself and fight for his innocence, they simply weren’t interested. So, he implored God to sort it out as he knew that he couldn’t. This is a powerful thing to do. It reminds me of Jesus being before his accusers and being silent - it takes great self-control and confidence in God to not retaliate or argue your case. Yet there is great strength in silence when you know God can do far more than you can, and you let Him.

In order to maintain your innocence and wellbeing, your reputation and character, it is often best if you pray and wait, and continue to do what you know is right. It will be difficult and painful, but do as David did and implore God to deal with it. David had learnt that doing things his own way usually went badly and was exhausting, so now he has learned to lean into God and let Him do His thing in His timing. God knows how to deal with any situation and He desires to preserve His anointed ones, His people. Instead of panicking and worrying, pray and remind yourself of God’s power and presence and that one day you will be ‘exulting in his salvation’. 

13  But I, when they were sick— 

I wore sackcloth; 

I afflicted myself with fasting; 

I prayed with head bowed on my chest. 

14  I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; 

as one who laments his mother, 

I bowed down in mourning. 

15  But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; 

they gathered together against me; 

wretches whom I did not know 

tore at me without ceasing; 

16  like profane mockers at a feast, 

they gnash at me with their teeth. 

17  How long, O Lord, will you look on? 

Rescue me from their destruction, 

my precious life from the lions! 

18  I will thank you in the great congregation; 

in the mighty throng I will praise you. 

19  Let not those rejoice over me 

who are wrongfully my foes, 

and let not those wink the eye 

who hate me without cause. 

20  For they do not speak peace, 

but against those who are quiet in the land 

they devise words of deceit. 

21  They open wide their mouths against me; 

they say, “Aha, Aha! 

Our eyes have seen it!” 

Sometimes those you have loved and looked after stab you in the back. David tells of how painful, confusing and frustrating that is. He really, deeply cared for the people that have now taken the opportunity to try to destroy him, no wonder he is ‘bereft’. He has invested in relationships, helped, prayed and cared for the very people who now are trying to tear him apart. It is heart wrenching when those we have invested in turn their backs on us and start to attack. Do not fear or worry if this happens to you. It shows their character and commitment, not yours. Just make sure that you are not fuelling the dispute by engaging. Sometimes remaining silent is more powerful than fighting for your reputation even in their eyes. David doesn’t try to convince them about how good and innocent he is, how he has always wanted the best for them, instead he turns to God. He tells God what is going on, how unfair and painful it is. He knows that if people have turned against in this way, clubbing together to increase their hatred then there is no point trying to reestablish relationship. They will just use the opportunity to further fuel their fury. Maintain innocence in your behaviour. Do not be persuaded to use underhand techniques or to verbally fight back. That can cause you more anger and upset and destroy your character and reputation making you no longer the innocent party in the matter. God can sort out the situation. You will need to exercise restraint and self-control as you trust God to rescue you. He can shut the mouths of lions, part seas, bring bones to life so he can sort out the bullies and betrayers.

22  You have seen, O Lord; be not silent! 

O Lord, be not far from me! 

23  Awake and rouse yourself for my vindication, 

for my cause, my God and my Lord! 

24  Vindicate me, O Lord, my God, 

according to your righteousness, 

and let them not rejoice over me! 

25  Let them not say in their hearts, 

“Aha, our heart’s desire!” 

Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.” 

26  Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether 

who rejoice at my calamity! 

Let them be clothed with shame and dishonour 

who magnify themselves against me! 

27  Let those who delight in my righteousness 

shout for joy and be glad 

and say evermore, 

“Great is the Lord, 

who delights in the welfare of his servant!” 

28  Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness 

and of your praise all the day long. 

David’s first response in this section is to know God is close. When others have let him down, abandoned and turned against him, he needs to know God is listening and is close by. You will need to know the comfort and strength of God’s presence too when you encounter such a time, so ask for it. Ask God to not only triumph over the enemies, but to also help you with your emotions, your sense of self and bring you comfort and assurance. God can do all of that and all at the same time!

As well as acknowledging the lost relationships, remember those whom are still standing with you. There are still those who are championing you, who really know you and care about your situation. Thank God for them! Allow them to look after you, support you and provide for you. God has given you these ones to help you, so let them. Appreciate these people and, as David does, pray for them to be able to celebrate with you when the trial is over. Do not be totally overcome by those whom have abandoned and mistreated you, but be aware of those who are still with you. Look out for them and show your love and gratitude, and invest in these relationships. 

Finally, remember that, “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”. God is awesome, He is Lord and he cares about you and so will bring restoration and good to you out of this situation. The end of this torment is certain, for God brings good to those that love Him. You need to ensure that you are walking right before God and that even in trial you honour and worship Him. David does. He is clear that he is innocent in this matter and unlike his enemies he does not rejoice in others’ downfall or demise, but instead commiserates with them and rejoices in God. Even when he is accused and harassed. Keep your heart pure, and keep firm in God as your source of joy. For this trial will transform into a time of worship as you see the wisdom and power of God bring vindication and relief so, ’rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his salvation’ You can rejoice now, even in the midst of trouble, for you can know the truth that this trial will end, that God will restore and will pour out favour on those who follow and honour Him.