Our Reading: Psalm 83 and Hebrews 1:3, 1 Peter 2:13-17
Have you ever felt hemmed in all sides by forces that conspired against you, by people who plotted your demise? This is what Asaph felt as the Israelites found themselves surrounded by people who did not serve God and wanted to wipe the Israelite nation from the face of Earth. Even in the world today, there are many nations and even groups within our own countries who wish to conspire against Christianity and wipe Christians from the face of the Earth. Our fears and anxieties may rise but we should take the example of Asaph and take our concerns to God and ask for His intervention:
“O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads.” Psalm 83:1-2
Asaph knew what God was capable of. He knew the historical proof that God could defeat and destroy the plans and resources of the enemy.
“O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze, so may you pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane!” Psalm 83:13-15
We can relate to wanting those who wish us harm to be defeated but can we relate to the very special request that Asaph makes on behalf of those enemies?
“Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord.” Psalm 83:16
He doesn’t just want them annihilated, but he wants them to be humbled and realize their need for God as their Savior. “Shame has often weaned men from their idols, and set them upon seeking the Lord.” (Spurgeon)
This is important for us to understand. God often has to break a man’s proud and self serving spirit before he realizes his need for God and desires to seek God. All hateful, vindictive, manipulative and power seeking behavior as well as self destructive behavior reflects a soul that is yielded to selfish focus. God has to bring a person to the end of themselves before they realize their need for Him and will be willing to repent. This is something God must do in a person’s life and we can interfere with that when we try to take matters into our own hands by attacking, defending, or just enabling. We should seek the counsel of God and what He wants us to do vs not do and we should patiently allow God to intervene.
This is a hard truth to put into application and we must have God’s help to do so. We must remember:
Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. Proverbs 28:5
Even on the cross, Jesus referred to this: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
Perhaps this is why God asks us to have a gracious heart toward our enemies and pray for them.
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21
I am not advocating for someone to be a doormat for abuse or to ignore the wrong behaviors of others. I am just advocating for us to examine our own hearts and attitudes towards others. We should aim to keep the right perspective and to choose carefully our actions and responses so that we would honor God, including taking a stand to uphold his values, but also show Christian love toward our oppressors.
Even as we seek justice and desire for God to intervene, we must have the same goal as Asaph in wanting God to stir up mighty action and opposition against those who practice evil: “that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.” Psalm 83:18
Reflection:
- How do you view the difficult people in your life and do you consider your actions and reactions in the context of honoring God?
- How do you view those who are against your Christian values? Do you pray for them?
- Do you pray for God to do whatever it takes to bring the unsaved or the prodigal to a place of humility and realization of their need for Him?
Prayer: Father, may we always seek to honor you, even when we have to deal with difficult people who rise up in opposition against us and against You. May we seek Your wisdom and intervention instead of just recklessly taking matters into our own hands. Help us to see our enemy as You see Him..lost and desperately in need of You. May our hearts long for You to intervene in a way that declares You to be the most high God.