When my boys were little and I let them watch action movies, they always asked, Dad, who are our enemies? Which was hard to answer, since I didn’t want to create animosity against any certain people group in their young hearts. But they ached to go out in the yard and attack someone. So I answered, bad guys are our enemies, which satisfied a six and four-year old. They picked up sticks and started whacking, and I sat back, satisfied with my good parenting (their mother was away the entire time).

David suffered from his enemies. He wrote: The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.

In his anxiety David cried out for relief: Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

David faced enemies both from abroad and within his own household. Real people gunning for him in the streets.

Which makes me wonder—who are my enemies?

No physical people that I can think of. Certainly the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil, as Paul points out in his letter to the Ephesian church.

Enemies of the mental and emotional variety also surface. Worries about finances or retirement. Desires for more, wanting things I don’t have. Hoping to get noticed. Frustrations brought on reading about national and global situations.

Enemies twist and manipulate. I forget the blessings—my wife, my children, my grandchild, family and friends, a warm house, solid finances, good health and a myriad more. Enemies deceive and cover up.

David prayed: Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground…In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

When overwhelmed in the night, or struggling during the day, you and I can pray like David. When our enemies show no sign of relenting, it’s time to ask for relief—Lord, silence my enemies, destroy the foes in my mind, teach me to do your will, and lead me by your Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Psalm 143 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by David Werbrouck