MAIN POINT: Jesus had enemies and so will you, but you can trust that in the presence of God you are safe from your enemies.
Jesus talked about loving your enemies ( burning coals on people’s heads ) and people being thrown into fire. (Matthew 3:12, 25:41, Mark 9:43-49, Luke 16:23-24, Revelation 14:10, 19:20, 20:10, 20:14-15, 21:8)
And Jesus definitely had enemies. There were people trying to kill Jesus, and Satan wasn’t leaving any space for his rampage of kill, steal and destroy campaign to pass Jesus by. David has his share of enemies too. It should be no surprise to you that both Jesus and David were people often on the run, aware of the danger that lurked in every location and word of their enemies' presence.
Jesus uses the words of verse 3 to describe the people whom everyone assumed should be closest to God.
Have you felt like evil people and evil forces are gunning for your soul? David understood that feeling and even more, Jesus understands that situation better than anyone. You can join the “I-want-to-be-godly-but-evil-forces-are-after-me-club”; it is an old and very respected club with very famous members. Consider Peter.
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;
Don’t think for a moment that the story about Job is an isolated special incident. (John 15:20, Luke 6:40)
No, indeed we are warned many times in the letters from the apostles that we are in a spiritual battle and that our enemy isn't simply the people we see. So although you may easily read verse 7 as being a literal battle on a field with swords, spears and bow, David knew that there was a battle raging for the honour of the Lord. And Jesus was more acutely aware of this than anyone ever has been.
The question is, where then is there safety? And the answer is the same for Jesus, David, me and you.
In the presence of the Lord.
Conclusion:
Be comforted and rest assured you are safe in the presence of God who knows how to deal with your enemies.
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| Handwritten Psalm 140 |
1 O Lord, rescue me from evil people.
Protect me from those who are violent,
2 those who plot evil in their hearts
and stir up trouble all day long.
3 Their tongues sting like a snake;
the venom of a viper drips from their lips.
Interlude
4 O Lord, keep me out of the hands of the wicked.
Protect me from those who are violent,
for they are plotting against me.
5 The proud have set a trap to catch me;
they have stretched out a net;
they have placed traps all along the way.
Interlude
6 I said to the Lord, “You are my God!”
Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!
7 O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me,
you protected me on the day of battle.
8 Lord, do not let evil people have their way.
Do not let their evil schemes succeed,
or they will become proud.
Interlude
9 Let my enemies be destroyed
by the very evil they have planned for me.
10 Let burning coals fall down on their heads.
Let them be thrown into the fire
or into watery pits from which they can’t escape.
11 Don’t let liars prosper here in our land.
Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.
12 But I know the Lord will help those they persecute;
he will give justice to the poor.
13 Surely righteous people are praising your name;
the godly will live in your presence.
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