Reading: Psalm 35
(Verses
7-10)
Since
they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.
My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, LORD?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.” (NIV)
and without cause dug a pit for me,
may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.
My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, LORD?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.” (NIV)
Reflection
Paul the apostle reminds us that as believers in
the Lord Jesus Christ, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. Put on the full armor of God, so that you
can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when
the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have
done everything, to stand (Ephesians 6:11-13).
The Armour of God
The conflicts that David experienced in the Old
Testament, reflected in the words of this portion of Psalm 35, are mirrored in
the spiritual warfare experienced by New Testament believers. Make no mistake—the
Devil and his cohorts have dug a pit to trap you; they spread their nets to
ensnare you in sin and degradation. But as with David, the LORD has also provided a way of
escape. Once again Paul reminds us of this: No temptation has overtaken you
except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be
tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also
provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
The LORD has equipped
us with the armor of God and He has provided a way of escape, so then with
David we can rejoice in the victory the LORD will bring.
Then my
soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.
My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, LORD?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
and delight in his salvation.
My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, LORD?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
Satan is a thief and a robber, who robs us of
victory, peace and joy. But like David and Paul we can overcome. "Thanks be to God, who delivers me
through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:25).
David
Kitz is an ordained minister and Bible dramatist with the Foursquare Gospel
Church of Canada: http://www.foursquare.ca/
For details on his book and drama ministry visit http://davidkitz.ca/
2 comments:
David, thank you for this clear and cogent reminder of the nature of our warfare, as described in the Scriptures. As has been said before in other words: our enemy is the evil one, not the people for whom Christ died to save. ~~+~~
I'm back again, David. I failed to signal my appreciation for your encouragements from the Scriptures about the help that God has provided for us. Thank you. ~~+~~
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