I love reading the songs of David. Said to be a man after God's own heart, his lyrics and poems describe the lowest lows and the highest heights of our relationship with God. A lot of the time, his songs talk about God delivering him from his enemies. While I was reading Psalms one day, the whole enemy thing didn't strike a chord with me. I don't have one enemy, and if I did, he/she would not try to destroy me and take away my goats and kingdom and stuff. So while reading, my thoughts kind of wandered off...
Until this morning, I went for a walk. It's pretty cold right now so I briskly moved through the morning air, thinking about things I needed to do and people I needed to see. David's songs popped into my head, and I began to think about his enemies and how I didn't have any, and how I wish Psalms was a little more relevant to me. I thought about how David had enemies all the time, because he was king - and he was in constant need of God to destroy his enemies, because they suck. They tried to steal things away, destroy what he had built, and probably humiliated David at any chance they could get because he believed in an unseen God. Suddenly it hit me that I have millions of enemies. They're not necessarily people. They are things, ideas, social "norms" that try to steal away my joy and peace, destroy what I have built with God, and humiliate me for my unwavering belief in an unseen God. My "enemy" is this world we live in, that tries to get me to buy into its ideas. The enemies I have look like expensive cars, nice houses and diamond jewelry. I have enemies named "Apathy," "Sin Isn't That Bad," and "God Judges You On Your Performance." I often get on the battlefield with the enemy "You Need To Be Liked By Everyone." I especially draw my sword for "I Can Do Things On My Own, Thank You Very Much."
So I think I have just as many enemies as David had. And while they may not be trying to drive a sword through my heart, they try to drive a sword through my soul. Reading on in Psalms to David's victory songs gives me confidence that God will shatter those enemies of mine.
I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
I crushed them so that they could not rise;
they fell beneath my feet.
You armed me with strength for battle;
you made my adversaries bow at my feet.
You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
and I destroyed my foes...
The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Savior!
He is the God who avenges me,
who subdues nations under me,
who saves me from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
from violent men you rescued me.
Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O Lord;
I will sing praises to your name.
Psalm 18:37-50
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