SCRIPTURE: Psalm 10
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
The devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. [Matthew 4:8-11].
In this Psalm, David talks about very real, flesh and blood enemies.
Boastful, arrogant, cruel, deceptive, heartless and godless… and successful to boot.
They defy and disregard God, and laugh about it.
They experience no consequences, nor do they expect them. I do not have these kinds of enemies.
I am not troubled or attacked by these kinds of people, but though I have no enemies, I do have an Enemy.
And he is very real, very nasty, and determined to mess me up.
As I read Psalm 10, this is the Enemy I think about.
This is the enemy Jesus faced too.
The Enemy behind all enemies, boasting about his success (all the kingdoms and their splendour), enticing Jesus to despair of God and trust in him.
In his heart there is no room for God, because he is so full of himself.
Boastful, arrogant, cruel, treacherous.
His desire is to mess everyone up, forever.
Though David spends a lot of time thinking about his enemy, the point of this psalm is to refuse the enemies boasting and taunting, and remind himself that no matter what, God is still God, He alone is to be worshipped.
With Jesus we say, ‘shut up Satan, get lost, away from me!’
With David we say, ‘rise up God, and show Satan Your boot!’
With confidence we say that the Lord is in charge; with conviction we pray that the Lord would show His power.
Defeat the Enemy, and his many puppet servants.
Bring down the arrogant and cruel, and lift up the weak, the helpless, the defeated.
Strengthen Your servants, break the arm of the Enemy!
Our Enemy is always looking for ways to distract, discourage and defeat us.
We need to engage in warfare prayer, as David does in the psalm, as Jesus does in the wilderness.
When we do, our strength will be renewed, and God’s angels will come and care for us.
As a Jesus-follower, I choose to go into battle, into the wilderness today, armed for spiritual warfare.
I will not surrender to Satan’s lies.
Away from me, Satan…rise up Lord!
PRAYER:
Lord, You are King forever and ever. You listen to the cry of the afflicted. I commit myself to You, helper of the helpless!
Where is God when you need Him? is a question people ask. When the going is good we feel no need of God and when he times are difficult, we cry out to our God? And does He hear His people’s cry?
Those who serve the prince of this earth, Satan, seem to have it all. He is properous and getting it all his way and there seems to be no stopping him. The wrong seems oft so strong, but God is the Ruler yet.
The believers prayer shows that his faith, his Helper, His King is the Lord of lords who gives the afflicted what they need in times of trouble. The prince of this world is not our saviour, but Christ is! Take it all to the Lord in prayer. He is the One to whom I must commit my ways for He is Who He is – My King – Who listens to His people praying and supplies all their needs and one day – reign with Him forever. That is the heart of the matter – serve Him with heart, soul, mind, strength – today and forever. HeartStrong. GodStrong! Walking with my risen Saviour every day.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.