Today’s reading is Psalm 83.
Our psalmist’s cry is intense. A coalition of enemies has arisen against Israel beyond compare. The coalition reminds us of the one Jehoshaphat faced in 2 Chronicles 20. However, this one is five times as intense. The Asaphite mentions 10 city-states or nations: Edom, Ishmaelites, Moab, Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre, and Asshur (Assyria). The thing is we can’t find any time in Israel’s history a coalition like this actually came against God’s people. While 2 Chronicles 20 may give us a pragmatic look at what facing this kind of enemy would be like, the psalm wasn’t likely written during that time. Though, no doubt, if already written, it would be a perfect prayer for that time. However, the mention of Assyria likely puts this psalm later than Jehoshaphat’s time.
Likely, our psalmist is writing in extreme terms. He pictures traditional enemies of Israel all gathering together at the same time not to describe the literal events but to describe the perceived danger. These enemies are from the north, the west, the east, and the south. God’s people are surrounded. What chance does Israel have against such an all-encompassing coalition? God is her only hope. And so the psalmist prays.
I can’t help but think of spiritual Israel’s plight today. Do you ever feel like Christ’s kingdom is surrounded by enemies? Does it seem like a coalition is against us? There are the militant atheists, the false Christianities, followers of pagan deities, false religions, activists for immorality, and even those who just think none of it matters. And while “tolerance” is the modern buzzword and “coexist” decorates a million bumpers, activists among all these opponents make it clear they want God’s kingdom in Christ wiped out and Christ’s name forgotten (or at least His teaching). Or perhaps, they tell us, they wouldn’t actually wipe us out if we would just submit and keep quiet.
What can we do? Exactly what this psalmist does. We can pray. And while the psalm was not likely written in the days of Jehoshaphat, the similarity between the two prompts me to look to those events in which Jehoshaphat admitted the enemy was too big for him and for his army. I love his prayer, “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12, ESV).
Our enemy is cunning, baffling, and powerful. The casualties in this war discourage us sometimes to the point of desperation. At times it seems like we cannot possibly avail against the horde arrayed against us. But our God is bigger than all our enemies. He will fight on our behalf. We must merely show up for the battle and show up in prayer. Whether on an earthly battlefield or a cosmic one, our God always wins.
Hang on to Him no matter what.
Praise the Lord!
Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 83.
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What admonition do you receive from Psalm 83?
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