“Enemies?”

Written by Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Friday, November 26, 2021

Psalm 140 (Forward, p. 28) CEV p. 641

I think that we have a problem with this psalm.  Experts in the art of Biblical exegesis, that is, Biblical interpretation, tell us that, as we approach any particular passage of Scripture, we need to first look at the particular context and situation into which it was written.  Then, we are to consider whether this situation in any way resembles our own, and only then—if there is some resemblance, do we apply it to our own.

For instance, Moses’ parting of the Red (Reed) Sea to deliver the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt, or the provision of manna in the desert or his erection of a bronze snake to ward off widespread death among his people, do not have any immediate bearing upon our lives.  Most of us would know without much of a doubt, that we are not expected to repeat Moses’ actions in our world and in our situation.  Sure, we can come up with parallels, and see some symbolism there, but that is all.

So, coming back to today’s psalm, we are faced with a situation that is probably not our own.  Here David repeatedly talks about enemies, cruel, violent, brutal, vicious enemies, enemies that that are plotting against him, trying to trip him up, and constantly wanting, and working for, his downfall.  And we certainly know that he had a multitude of enemies, both within and without his own household.  But this is not, in any way, like our situations.

What enemies, then, do we have, do we have as individuals?  Most of us would be hard pressed to name even one person that is actively plotting our downfall, much less wanting us dead, much less several.  Certainly, we can think of rival nations or rival political parties or warring ideologies as being opposed to us, but enemies?  The present-day nation of Israel can quite rightly designate ISIS or Iran as enemies, but the rest of us?  Yes, we can be suspicious of the intentions and actions of Russia or China or North Korea, but can we really label them as enemies, particularly as enemies that are hell-bent upon our destruction?  I don’t think so.

How then, given this total disconnect, are we to interpret this psalm?  (Here, I might mention, I am guided by the presumption that all Scripture was written for our learning).  So, what I personally take from this psalm is that we do have a very real enemy, Satan, the enemy of our souls, and that he is actively plotting and working for our downfall.  Sadly, sometimes he uses other people, often unknowingly, to do his bidding and assist him in this.  And, what is more—what is worse—is that he often finds an ally in our own inner natures, the wayward, degenerate, unruly part of ourselves that the apostle Paul calls our ‘flesh.’  Sadly, this part of us is still alive and well and lurking within us, even when we are regenerate, when we are reborn into Christ’s likeness.  And sadly, it can turn traitor, can subjugate and subvert our noblest intentions.  It is like a turncoat that opens the fortress’s hidden gate so the enemy legions can get in.  And so, we need to be vigilant, and careful, and ever aware of his presence and his influence, for he can creep up on us and do his treacherous work, quite beknown to us.  Perhaps, this is an ideal time, this pre-Christmas season, to look at our lives, to examine them, and see whether there are thoughts, impulses, desires, that run counter to the way of Christ and could, potentially, cause us problems in the long run.  And, then, to surrender them to Christ, and let Him put them to death (we often cannot do this ourselves) and then set us free to more fully love and serve Him.  Amen.

Forward notes: “I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the poor and render justice to the needy” (verse 12).

“Most of my relatives live on the Pine Ridge Reservation in western South Dakota. We are Oglala Lakotas.  Around 1983, my parents moved back to the reservation after accepting a call to a new ministry.  What was clear then was the extreme poverty: the area always made the top five list of being among the United States’ poorest counties.  The other counties on the list were the other reservations in South Dakota. 

“It is approaching forty years now since my parents moved back there to work, and extreme poverty has been constant.  I can only pray that one day this will no longer be the case.  When I read this psalm, I am assured that the Lord is with us, even amidst such need.  But God also calls others to assist in that work.  Where are the helpers?  In a rich country such as the United States, should poverty even exist?”

MOVING FORWARD: “How will you be the hands and feet of Christ today?”