Over the years we have encountered very real enemies. Some were enemies of our family, attempting to destroy our family unit permanently. Others were intentionally out to destroy me/us because of our multiplicity. I plan to write more about these in the near future; but first I want to share a passage of Scripture that could have been written just for us. In truth, they were written by King David when Saul was out to destroy him; but the words apply to us as well:
(Amplified Version) Psalms 54-55:9 [I know this is very long, but the whole piece speaks so powerfully from my heart. I hope and pray that it may speak to another heart as I write.] “Save me, O God, by Your name; judge and vindicate me by Your mighty strength and power. Hear my pleading and my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers and insolent men are rising up against me, and violent men and ruthless ones seek and demand my life; they do not set God before them. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Behold, God is my helper and ally; the Lord is my upholder and is with them who uphold my life. He will pay back evil to my enemies; in Your faithfulness [Lord] put an end to them. With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks and praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me out of every trouble, and my eye has looked [in triumph] on my enemies.
Listen to my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplication! Attend to me and answer me; I am restless and distraught in my complaint and must moan [And I am distracted] at the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression and threats of the wicked; for they would cast trouble upon me, and in wrath they persecute me. My heart is grievously pained within me, and the terrors of death fave fallen upon me. My heart is grievously pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling have com upon me; horror and fright have overwhelmed me. And I say, Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Yes, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! I would hasten to escape and to find a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.
Destroy [their schemes], O Lord, confuse their tongues, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.”
Try to remember these verses as you read the accounts of how very real enemies have sought to destroy us; and be amazed with us at how relevant these words are as they apply to our situations.