Making known to God our petitions in prayer with thanksgiving is the remedy to anxiety (Phi 4:6). We can observe this spiritual discipline in David’s pleas to God to deliver him from his enemies who endeavored to destroy him, “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!” (v1). Like a plaintiff, he brings has case (legal action) before the courts of God for examination and justice. In his lawsuit against his enemies he makes the following complaints by which he seeks heaven’s remedy:
- His enemies sought his life without good reason, thus, “For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life” (v7).
- His enemies hatred for him was unjust. To be clear, sometimes we are suffering the attacks of people as a consequence to sinful decisions and/or a lack of self-control with our tongues that have negatively impacted others around us. This is not the case here with David, for he says, “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 [bereaved]” (v11-12). David was at a lost for why they were persecuting him.
He petitions God to bring their evil plans to nothing, that they be caught in their own traps they designed for him, “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!” (v8). This was common prayer by David who was King Israel and God’s anointed man of war. However, there are other parts of his prayer and actions that are more applicable to the life of Christian, a follower Jesus who is under new covenant as we are commanded to love our enemies. Prayerfully consider the following:
- Seek God for justice. David puts the matters of his deliverance in the hands of God. He acknowledged that his foes were more numerous and powerful than him. He ceases from taking any actions and appeals to God who is stronger than they, thus, “Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! (3) Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuer! Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation!” (v2-3). David uses language of warfare as he rightly viewed God as his Divine Warrior. Likewise, we must look to the Lord to fight our battles. Too often when we take matters into our own hands, we commit sin that gives birth to more sin. Instead, we are commanded to trust God and remember this exhortation that gives us rest and assurance, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’’ (Rom 12:19).
- Love your enemy while you wait. In his heavenly lawsuit, David presents his acts of love towards his enemies into evidence as a defense against their unjust hatred for him, “But I, when they were sick – I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest” (v13). As a Christian, we are to be merciful towards those who hates us even while they plot and persecute us with evil. Paul reminds us that justice is God’s department, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals on his head” (Rom 12:20). In other words, perhaps God’s actions upon such a person may lead to conversion and save them from the fires of hell. The primary motivation we need to co-laboring in this work of love is to remember, that you and I were once (also) enemies of God (cf., Eph 2:1-3).
The encouragement is this: when it comes to troublesome situations and people, trust God’s character, power, and timing. Faith in Christ positions us so we will not be overcome with evil, but can overcome evil with good. Only God is good. Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com