Psalms 17:13-14 KJV
Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down:
deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of
the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest
with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their
substance to their babes.
Here is an interesting passage to be sure. King David acknowledges that
his enemies are both the sword and the hand of God. They exist, our enemies,
for two reasons:
As a tool for chastening
It would be ludicrous of us to believe we are always right with God and
never in need of the rod of correction. Chastening, though never a pleasant
experience, is the work of a loving heavenly Father. It demonstrates his
concern for us. God uses circumstances and persons acting as enemies as His rod
of correction.
As a tool for chiseling
Like the chisel in the hand of the sculptor, The Lord works to fashion
us into the image of our Saviour. This action is not a function of chastening
or discipline but can none the less be unpleasant. Job's troubles were not an
act of discipline but they were refining in his character and his understanding
of God.
David saw that his enemies served as instruments of God in both
functions. He readily admitted they were there under the will of God.
Yet David still prayed for deliverance from them. Though they were of
God they need not remain there forever. Yea, because they were in God's hand he
had that much more reason to believe he might be delivered from them throug
prayer. He was no fatalist. He did not view himself as a helpless victim of
cruel circumstances. He saw every situation as an opportunity for spiritual
growth and he saw the mercy of God as providing hope that any situation might
be reversed.
What a healthy view of trouble:
- Learn from it
- Grow in it but
- Don't surrender to it.
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