What a couple of weeks it has been! It started with those `hidden arrows' from the enemy, and by the end of the first week I was overcome with insignificancies. I found myself crying out to the Lord, and as usual, HE CAME THROUGH!
There were many times in David's life when he felt threatened by enemies, both `internally' and externally; and in this Psalm 64, we find him crying out to the Lord again. As usual:
* He is seeking protection from his enemies.
* He wants to hide from those people he feels are conspiring against him.
* He wants to `shut out' the noise of the voices - that are like `poison arrows'.
But as usual, David realizes that God's arrows are greater than any of those his enemies can throw at him. They may be well armed and well hidden - like `snipers' in his armies, but David has a FRIEND who is in a 'higher and more hidden position'. God is greater and He will destroy David's enemies, and give Him eternal salvation.
The same can be true in our everyday lives. God came through for me this week with a gentle reminder of the gift God had given me to serve Him, a cuddle from my granddaughter - a reminder that I was still loved, and some encouraging words from friends and my physiotherapist helped too. For God's arrows of love and faithfulness can destroy any the enemy try to throw at us.
David finishes this Psalm, as he does most of them, with WORDS OF PRAISE. We, like David, can:
* Rejoice in the Lord.
* Take refuge in His presence.
* Sing songs of Praise.
We have a reason to be glad in the Lord, as David did, for we can trust in God and His everlasting promises, and find that ETERNAL SALVATION!
OUR ENEMIES- Read Psalm 64:1-6
The wicked threats of our enemies are often not only from the external, but internally, causing us lots of fear and anxieties. This was true for David. Even though he was a strong, courageous soldier, he knew the crippling fear that these `enemies' could bring upon him. But he also knew the Lord was there to `listen to his complaints', and He knew He would keep him safe.
David had been in battle. He knew how dangerous it was with `hidden snipers'. David's enemies used secret plots, `shot bitter words', like arrows in a secret position, and they didn't seem to fear David or God.
Our `enemies' can seem the same in our lives, especially with words that bring us down. It can be the simplest negative comment that upsets us - they `poison our minds' with all kinds of thoughts. It seems like everyone is plotting against us.
It was bad enough for David when one person was plotting against him,, but when he discovered they were all conspiring, and `encouraging each other in their evil plans' to `set traps, pervert justice, scheme together and plot perfect crimes." (NIV) (TPT)
Again, they didn't seem to care about David or the Lord's retribution!
GOD IS GREATER - Read Psalm 64:7&8, Read 1 Samuel 30:1-8
King David and his soldiers were valiant and victorious on the battlefield, but one time when they returned home from battle they found their entire village had been burnt and their families had been taken hostage by their enemies. David's wife and children had also been taken, so you can imagine he shared the grief of his men. Still, the men were greatly distressed and they `blamed David and spoke of stoning Him'.
David's first response, like in this Psalm, was to cry out to God for help, because he knew God was greater than even this enemy. The problem (the arrows) were much bigger than he could handle, but he was sure God would have a plan (his own arrow).
"David strengthened himself in the Lord....David inquired of the Lord, "Shall I pursue the troop? Shall I overtake them?" And He answered him, "Pursue for you shall overtake them, and without fail recover them." 1 Samuel 30:7&8
David went out and God showed him that his enemy could be struck down, it could be destroyed, because GOD IS GREATER.
"You dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (NIV)
REJOICE IN THE LORD - Read Psalm 64:9&10, Read 1 Samuel 30:9-23
Imagine the joy David and his men felt when they found their families alive and well. Some of them were a little greedy and wanted to keep all the enemies' plunder for themselves; but David knew the reason for their VICTORY - he wanted to `proclaim the works of the Lord', and rejoice with everyone.
Everyone has a reason to rejoice and sing praise to the Lord, especially at this time of year, when we look forward to the coming Easter celebration. When we think about the promise God gave us in His Son Jesus Christ, who died and rose again - and gave us our ETERNAL SALVATION.
Let's sing praises every day not only as we read this Psalm and David's stories of victories over his enemies, or our own stories of God's faithfulness in our lives, but mostly because we know what lies ahead for us.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have EVERLASTING LIFE. For God sent His son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world would be SAVED THROUGH HIM." John 3:16&17
"The lovers of God will be glad, rejoicing in the Lord. They will be found in His glorious wrap around presence, singing songs of praise to God." Psalm 64:10 (TPT)
The Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011, Biblical
Simmons, Dr Brian, 2017, The Passion Translation, Broadstreet Publishing
Guzik, David, 2015, "Psalm 64, Secret Plots & Sudden Shots", Enduring Words.
