The enemy will seek harm for us, but God is ever present to help

By Dean Collins

The enemy of God will always seek to disturb and disrupt followers of Christ as we seek to extend God’s kingdom. His efforts began with Adam and Eve’s fall, and until we eventually participate in our complete transformation and the restoration of all things when Christ returns, the enemy will always be lurking, interrupting, and seeking to interfere with God’s faithful followers. But there is good news; in the end, we will look our Heavenly Father full in the face and live in his presence forever.

In Psalm 17 we find David appealing to God for his help and rescue, likely from Saul’s unjust pursuits. You have probably already discovered that over the course of following Jesus, there will be times when we are unjustly pursued. Someone will falsely accuse and seek to bring you harm or a setback. David gives us a wonderful prayer to use in the times when we are threatened.

David gives us a wonderful prayer to use in the times when we are threatened.

I love Eugene Peterson’s translation of Psalm 17 because it demonstrates how open and transparent we can be in our prayers. If you pay attention to the Psalms, you learn that we need not filter or hold back our thoughts and feelings when approaching God. He can handle our frustrations, our fears, and our feelings. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and when we come to him with transparency and humility, he steps in. Then, as God leans in, he provides wisdom, strength, endurance, and deliverance.

David built his case to God. He claimed that his prayer was honest and that he was innocent. And David may well have been in that moment. We all have moments where our hearts are pure, and our thoughts and intentions are in alignment with God to the best of our understanding. However, we know that none of us is innocent over the long haul. We all have sinned and fallen short as Paul pointed out in Romans 3. But because of the sacrifice of Jesus, his righteousness takes over. And as Paul says in Romans , there is no condemnation for those of us in Christ Jesus.

We know that none of us is innocent over the long haul.

So when we come to prayer, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and the righteousness of God replaces our unrighteousness. And before the God of Heaven, we can experience both correction and comfort and know that we have assurance of God’s protection and deliverance.

Voices filled with hot air will spout at us from time to time. Some will nip at our heels hoping to trip us up. Some will sow weeds in the garden God is planting with our lives. But when we pray, God bends down to hear. He always responds, and his deliverance always comes at the right time.

Father, hear our prayer today. Lean into our struggle. Protect us from those who seek harm to us and to your kingdom. We surrender justice to you as we also ask for your mercy. Increase our faith to trust you completely today and every day as we follow you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭17 ‭MSG; Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV

Photo by Danny Lines on Unsplash
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