QT 3/15/2024 Ps 54:1-7, Where are my enemies?

Psalm 54:1–7 (ESV) —

1 O God, save me by your name,

and vindicate me by your might.

2 O God, hear my prayer;

give ear to the words of my mouth.

3 For strangers have risen against me;

ruthless men seek my life;

they do not set God before themselves. Selah

4 Behold, God is my helper;

the Lord is the upholder of my life.

5 He will return the evil to my enemies;

in your faithfulness put an end to them.

6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;

I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.

7 For he has delivered me from every trouble,

and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.

 

NOTE: I really haven't had many enemies in life. Certainly there have been people who do not like by beliefs, but they have been peaceable. I have disagreed with people on algorithmic approaches to problems, even philosophical understanding of equations. I would not call those interactions friendly, but they were not my enemies. I think my enemies would be people who really don't know me and make assumptions about me. I have had people who have discredited me in order to reduce the threat to their career. But I can't say I have thought much on those situations. I can't really think of anyone I hold a grudge against because of something they have done to me. Maybe I forget too easily. My enemy is my flesh and the worldly system that the Satan has set up to fight against me. That battle is every day. All I can do, is to pick myself up after each battle, and prepare for the next. Sometimes I am successful in doing the right thing, often times not. I believe that God is my judge. And he will bring justice to a world awash in evil and injustice. This world even uses the moniker of justice to spread injustice. Everything is upside down. All I can say is, come Lord Jesus, come.

 

PONDER:

1. Are my lack of enemies because I have compromised myself so much to the world that I do not cause conflict?
2. Are my lack of enemies because I treat those who disagree with gentleness and respect?

 

PRAYER: Father, I want to be a light and to stand up for truth, even when it is not appreciated. I want to do it with gentleness and respect. But I do not want to shrink back just to avoid conflict.