Enemies. We all have things we prefer not to face, but David’s Psalms offer a wealth of encouragement to place our trust in God and refuse to waver in our faith. Join me in looking at one that meant a lot to me recently. I would love to hear your comments!
2MefromHim Devotionals
Facing Enemies
Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. Psalm 56:9
Fear paralyzes. I found any number of excuses not to get busy on the task I needed to finish. What if it wasn’t good enough? What if the answer was no? How would I face rejection?
David speaks about enemies a lot in the Psalms. He knew what it was to be hunted down, for his life to be in danger, day and night, no matter where he went.
We live in a society filled with fear. Our streets aren’t safe. Sometimes our homes aren’t safe. Thieves, thugs, drug addicts, hate-mongers—our world is filled with enemies that make us feel threatened. But sometimes fear lives inside of us. Often the worst fears arise from our own insecurities and doubts that we cannot please people, that we will let someone down.
I put off putting the finishing touches on a project for months because I was afraid. Then my husband confronted me. The Lord was already telling me to get busy. The project was His, after all. The outcome was in His hands. I only had to be faithful to give my best.
It comforts me to read the Psalms. David never ends on a note that indicates a lack of trust in God, a fear that God will let him down. David’s Psalms end on a statement of trust, an admonition to be thankful, and an assurance of the faithfulness of God. He is a good example to follow.
My reading of Psalm 56 came in the middle of completing my project. What a message of hope and confidence it sent to my wavering heart. In verses 10-11, he writes:
In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can man do to me?
What productive lives we could live if we didn’t waste time listening to those inner voices that disrupt our days and disturb our dreams. Elsewhere, David states that God is his refuge, strength, shield, and vindicator. We can trust Him in any situation.
Whatever enemies you face, whether they be physical, mental, emotional, or imaginary, look to the words of David in the Psalms. Look to the Lord in prayer. God is faithful. He is more powerful than any enemy we will ever face.
© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman
About the Author:
Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
Website: www.normagail.org
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Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas: https://lpcbooks.com/norma-gail/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173
Norma, thank you for the encouraging message! Exactly what I needed to hear ????
Thank you, Sandra. We need to remember that others suffer the same struggles we do.
Talk about great timing! I’ve been wrestling with this on a daily basis lately. Thank you for the encouragement. Love you!
I think we all do, Nan! So thankful it was encouraging!
Everyone faces enemies at times. The sad thing is that we do not want to admit and show our humanity. God bless.