Psalm 3 Continued…
Psalm 3 is penned out of great personal tragedy and turmoil but it is also one where David is reminded that nothing that stands against him will prevail because the Lord was with David. So much so, that even though he fled in humiliation and even wept bitterly because of the actions of his son, he knew that no matter how great of an army there was arrayed against him, he had no need to worry. David boldly wrote:
Psalms 3:7-8
Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
Those words, “Arise, O Lord!” were the cries of the heart of the people of God as they wandered in the desert after escaping Egypt. Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, O Lord! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.” (Numbers 10:35)
David is boldly asking God to deal with his enemies. May we be so bold as well. Our enemies may well, at times, be physical. But mostly, for you and I, our enemies (numbering in the thousands) are the evil thoughts, perverse and wicked and anger and bitter-filled, infused with jealousy and pride and malfeasance as they crowd into our minds. Our enemies are always present and we must boldly ask God to deal harshly with them.
But, like David, we also have a responsibility to do battle with them as well (in the strength and Spirit of the Lord). Paul says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) We, like David, must boldly ask God to smack those evil thoughts in the teeth. We need to seek God’s help in destroying those forces that keep us from loving our neighbors and serving each other as we have been called to do.
PRAY
Heavenly Father help me to never forget that even though I may be only one, when you are with me, nothing can stand against! Help me battle the dark forces that stand against my own mind. Help me fight and take captive every thought for you.