Psalm 35:1 Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
David spoke so often about his enemies and those who tried to destroy them. Why did such a good man have such adamant foes? Why do we read over and over about David’s bouts with his adversaries? Among other reasons…
1. Jealousy - King Saul was threatened by David's favor with God and others and his promotion by God to future king.
Saul’s jealousy reached a boiling point when the girls sang of David; "Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands"
The king who had achieved the highest position in the land was bested in the hearts of his own people by this upstart.
2. Vengefulness
right or wrong, what David did as a dowry for Michael, his first wife, was never forgotten. 200 Philistine foreskins was cause for them to be foes for life.
3. Envy - His own son, Absalom thought he was all that, got pretty full of himself, thought his head of hair made him the man (ha!) so he plotted for the throne.
4. Spite - People hated David because he loved God first and foremost. Sure, he was a mess at times, but God called him the man after His own heart. Darkness hates light, so the wicked hated him for his stand for God.
5. Cause and effect, sowing and reaping. David numbered the people against God's will, he committed adultery and murder - sin has consequences. Enemies were raised up against David because of his own sins.
6. God's enemies are our enemies. The world hates God. They want to live autonomously. Anyone who is on God's side or speaks on God’s behalf will draw their angst.
7. Sin nature - there are wars, battles, enemies, fights simply because men's hearts are evil. They want what isn't theirs, so they take it, if you are in the way, you are an enemy. People have pent up rage and anger. Life has dealt them blows which they feel they don't deserve. If you get in their way, you just may receive the whole load of their trash.
And so it is with us. No matter how nice you are, how good of a life you live, what stand you take, you will have enemies. They may be jealous of you, envious, they may want to get even, spite you for being a Christian, or you may have people rise up against you as a consequence for poor choices you have made.
Know these things:
1. If you are tight with the Lord, He is on your side and will win the battle for you
2. You are in good company. You have an affinity with people like David, Daniel, Paul and Jesus.
3. Keep on doing right. Remember these timeless truths. Right is greater than might, eternity is greater than time, and good is better than evil.
To the victor goes the spoils so keep fighting the battle in the strength of the Lord.
David spoke so often about his enemies and those who tried to destroy them. Why did such a good man have such adamant foes? Why do we read over and over about David’s bouts with his adversaries? Among other reasons…
1. Jealousy - King Saul was threatened by David's favor with God and others and his promotion by God to future king.
Saul’s jealousy reached a boiling point when the girls sang of David; "Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands"
The king who had achieved the highest position in the land was bested in the hearts of his own people by this upstart.
2. Vengefulness
right or wrong, what David did as a dowry for Michael, his first wife, was never forgotten. 200 Philistine foreskins was cause for them to be foes for life.
3. Envy - His own son, Absalom thought he was all that, got pretty full of himself, thought his head of hair made him the man (ha!) so he plotted for the throne.
4. Spite - People hated David because he loved God first and foremost. Sure, he was a mess at times, but God called him the man after His own heart. Darkness hates light, so the wicked hated him for his stand for God.
5. Cause and effect, sowing and reaping. David numbered the people against God's will, he committed adultery and murder - sin has consequences. Enemies were raised up against David because of his own sins.
6. God's enemies are our enemies. The world hates God. They want to live autonomously. Anyone who is on God's side or speaks on God’s behalf will draw their angst.
7. Sin nature - there are wars, battles, enemies, fights simply because men's hearts are evil. They want what isn't theirs, so they take it, if you are in the way, you are an enemy. People have pent up rage and anger. Life has dealt them blows which they feel they don't deserve. If you get in their way, you just may receive the whole load of their trash.
And so it is with us. No matter how nice you are, how good of a life you live, what stand you take, you will have enemies. They may be jealous of you, envious, they may want to get even, spite you for being a Christian, or you may have people rise up against you as a consequence for poor choices you have made.
Know these things:
1. If you are tight with the Lord, He is on your side and will win the battle for you
2. You are in good company. You have an affinity with people like David, Daniel, Paul and Jesus.
3. Keep on doing right. Remember these timeless truths. Right is greater than might, eternity is greater than time, and good is better than evil.
To the victor goes the spoils so keep fighting the battle in the strength of the Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment