“Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it. Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.”
PSalm 55:10-11/NIV
Over the past month, we have read and heard about “war crimes, atrocities, and murder” committed by the Russian nation against its neighboring country, Ukraine. Knowing of hatred, animosity, and acts of violence seen around the world in the last hundred years, I shake my head in disbelief that this egregious and senseless behavior persists in this day and age. What will Russia gain by attacking a neighboring country which is much smaller and does not appear to be a threat to its aggressor? Hasn’t humanity learned there is a better way to resolve conflict and find a peaceful resolution?
Turning away from international calamity, let’s turn to our personal lives. Unfortunately, what is happening on the world landscape can similarly happen here at home. Our local neighbors and acquaintances can turn on us and generate ill-will and hatred toward us. The Bible teaches us how to handle disgruntled people who seek to impart vengeance upon us. Hopefully, as we advance in the years, we have learned from past dispute resolution methods that did not work, and we will try new ones.
Let’s turn to the Bible; God’s inspired Word! In the book of Psalm, there are numerous discussions about the animosity King David endured from his adversaries, which involved his family and friends who turned on him. Though David was a powerful leader of the Israelite nation with much strength at his fingertips, he turned and prayed to God for help: “Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city” (Psalm 55:9/NIV). David could have responded to his adversaries with wrath, but he chose to pray to God instead!
That is very encouraging for us when we face aggressors! We could go toe-to-toe with them and match their aggression, but prayer is a better way! We can pray to God to confuse and confound the words of our adversary, which would result in their misperception, and they would become their own worst enemy. When we read about Jesus Christ in the Bible, we observe Him routinely praying to His Heavenly Father, which is also great teaching and inspiration for us! I know that I am no match for the angst that humanity extends towards me – but God is! I will turn to God in prayer for support and help when the enemy marches against me!
“As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice. He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change—He will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.“
Psalm 55:16-19/NIV
Amen! Many blessings to you!
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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