You’d think being chosen by God, David would have had a easy life. And although it’s true that he was indeed blessed by the Lord, still he faced many hardships. He was constantly pursued by Saul, who wanted nothing more than to see David dead, and faced countless enemies. In Psalm 54 we find David again on the run from Saul, and betrayed not once but twice by Ziphites who told Saul where he was hiding. No place was safe for the future king who cried, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” (Ps. 55:6) But in his heart David knew running away wasn’t the answer, running to God was. For David knew God as his helper and sustainer of his soul. (Ps. 54:4)
Just like running wasn’t the answer for David, when we are facing down our enemies, it isn’t the answer for us. No matter who or what we face,God is in complete control and we have nothing to fear; even death. For in Luke 12:4 Jesus instructs us, “do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more they can do.” And since as Christians we know that Jesus defeated death on the Cross, we can boldly declare, “In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Ps. 56:11)
In a world ruled by Satan, the accuser loves nothing better than to keep us in fear and eager to flee from our enemies. He uses every means at his disposal to attack us; whether it be through situations or people. He wants us downtrodden and defeated. But God doesn’t want us to live a life of oppression and despair. He wants us to be like David, staying put and staying strong. He wants us to cast our burdens on Him, fully secured in His love and protection. Knowing that we too can declare with authority, “I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, and He will hear my voice.” (Ps. 55:16-17) Regardless of the attack, or the attacker, no one and nothing can stand against the might of the Lord!
“The good man is no fool, he sees that he has enemies, and that they are many and crafty; he sees also his own danger, and then he shows his wisdom by spreading the whole case before the Lord, and putting himself under divine protection.”....Charles Spurgeon
“If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom. 8:31) Just think about the power and truth in that statement! And there is no greater example of that truth than the people of Israel themselves. From the beginning Satan has tried to wipe out their very existence. But because of God’s redemptive love and divine protection, they continue to overcome. Despite being scattered throughout the earth, they were regathered to the promised land and on May 14, 1948 the state of Israel was established. The land that was once no more than a barren wasteland is now an agricultural land of abundance. The Hebrew language which was once considered dead is now revived and spoken by the Jews. And on June 7, 1967 God’s chosen people finally reoccupied the holy city of Jerusalem. All of this while surrounded by enemies who would love nothing more than to see their destruction. But no matter the evil of men nor the schemes of the devil, God will prevail. For as He Himself declares, “I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jer. 32:27)
God is always fighting for those whom He call His. At times He will prevent our enemies from attacking. At others He allows the attack to happen because He is training and testing us. It’s during the latter that we can get lost in feelings of hopelessness. But take into account David, who captured by the Philistines at Gath and as a prisoner of war, still believed that God was on His side and would remember him. “You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle.Are they not in Your book?” (Ps. 56:8) God cares about each and every tear we as His children shed. So we need not lose hope or think we are on our own. For our Heavenly Father loves us beyond measure, fights with us and for us, and promises that one day He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. (Rev. 21:4)
