When the Enemy Threatens

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No one can accuse David of being politically correct. He was often surrounded by enemies and didn't hesitate to call down God's judgment on them for their unjust actions. Psalm 109 is one testimony to that. Bottom line: may what they curse David with be brought back upon their own heads.

But at the end of the psalm David turns his focus back to God—a good move. It's never a wise thing to focus on the problem and relegate the problem-solver to second place.

"But you, O Sovereign Lord, deal well with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me" (109:21).

God is sovereign—even over those who seek to do David harm.

God's reputation is of highest importance—and that influences how He acts on David's behalf.

God is good and loving—even when things seem to be going badly.

So David runs to the Lord: "Help me, O Lord my God; save me in accordance with your love" (109:26). The photo says it all: what was the cat thinking when the bear appeared on the back lawn?  He is watching carefully and no doubt is ready to run if he has to. But David went to prayer (109:4).

But there is more, much more. David just doesn't ask God to rescue him. He asks that those who pursue him understand that it is God who does the rescuing. He writes: "Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O Lord, have done it. They may curse, but you will bless..." (109:27, 28a).

He wants his enemies to know that it is God Himself who stands with David. There can be no greater rebuke to fall on their heads and hearts.

And in the end David writes: "With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng I will praise him. For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him" (109:30, 31).

Not only does David want his enemies to know that it is God who works on his behalf; he also wants his friends to understand that as well. Perhaps in their own difficult circumstances, when their enemies seek to overpower them, they will remember what David said and do as David did—cry for help to the only One big enough to take care of the problem.