DUO Inspirations
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact Me
  • Faith
    • Faith Blog
    • The Purposeful Bible Study For Those Who Want to Lose Weight
  • Education
    • Education Blog
    • Tutoring and Education Coaching Services
    • Educational Resources >
      • Prek/Kindergarten Resources
      • Elementary Grades Resources
      • Math Resources
      • Language Arts Resources
      • Writing Resources
      • Art Resources
      • Organizational Resources

Psalms 13: Good Versus Evil

3/28/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
“Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.”
                      Psalms 13:4 (KJV)


Hi friends,
     How are you?  Are you able to relate to David’s words as we ponder our way through Psalms 13?  Psalms 13:4 is the last of the sad verses in the psalm.  It is also one that leaves me with the most questions as I ponder it.  What are your thoughts?

Who is David’s Enemy?

     Who is the enemy in which David refers to here?  There are many thoughts on that.  Some people feel it could be Saul who was jealous of David and was trying to kill him.  Some people feel it was Absalom who was trying to overthrow him.  Some people feel there wasn’t one particular enemy in mind.

     We already know that David had many enemies.  He fought many wars.  Some were personal and some were for the good of his community.  He could even be talking about himself.  We can all be our worst enemies on earth at times.  David could also mean a more general term in enemy or he could be talking about enemies in general and not one particular situation. 

     He could be talking about “THE ENEMY”, the enemy of us all, Satan.  After all, who ever or whatever seems to be our enemy, whatever darkness seems to come over us, Satan is behind it all, even if we don’t see it.  We may see the face of a rival at work, or an abuser, or even a loved one who has wronged us in some way, but the one behind the cruelty is Satan.

     I wonder if it wouldn’t be healthier to see the face of Satan as our enemy instead of the actual person or situation that seems to be against us.  In that way, it might not feel so personal.  Maybe it would be easier to be more forgiving of the person and more understanding of the situation.  For example, I think it is easier to think that God is going to get “even” and be the victor over Satan than it is to think that God might get “even” with the person or situation that did us wrong. 

     I am not saying take the responsibility away from the person or make excuses for him or her.  After all, if he or she wronged you, then they still should take responsibility for it and apologize.  But if we see them as someone who is struggling against Satan’s influences just as we are, it seems like it would be easier to know that it wasn’t about our worth and that we are called to forgive them as much as others are called to forgive us.

Pridefulness:

     Have you ever wanted to win or succeed because of how others would think?  Have you ever felt like you wanted to succeed because you didn’t want others to think down on you or think less of you?  Have you ever wanted to win or succeed because you didn’t want the other person to say, “Ha, ha, I won and you lost.  Ha, ha, I won and you lost.”

     I know there have been times when I didn’t succeed and my adversary sort of mocked me and put me down.  It didn’t feel very well, especially when it happened when I was a child.  I didn’t understand that it was “just a game” or that people can be mean sometimes and it has nothing to do with my worth.

     I also have to admit that I have had my fair share of pridefulness as well.  Most of it was meant to be in the name of fun, but some of it not so much.  Pride can get in our way, if we are on the “winning” end of it or the “losing” end of it.  It doesn’t matter.  It still isn’t a pleasant, good, or righteous thing to feel or show.  Often times the pridefulness of our adversary and the ribbing that goes with it, feels worse than the original loss.


Good Versus Evil:

     It might sound strange, but some feel that if David was talking in generalities, if Psalms 13 was a general thought about nothing in particular, then he probably wasn’t thinking about prideful enemies saying anything against him personally.  His concerns could have been more philosophical and spiritual.  He could have been concerned about good versus evil.  David could have been concerned about the devil winning over a child of God.

     This is the ultimate conflict in all of our lives.  Especially as Christians, we want to do what we can to be on God’s side and see God’s side succeed.  We struggle and sin when Satan creeps into our lives in some way.  For example, when we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we prayer for God’s kingdom, not for Satan’s kingdom.
 

God’s Word:

     I said in the beginning of the post that I have questions with this verse.  I have already mentioned one of them about whether it is healthier to view our enemies as Satan and not as the people or situation specifically.  However, I have other questions as well.

     If David was talking about the fight against Satan and concerned about good versus evil, then his plea was for God to make things right so God wouldn’t look bad.  It reminds me of when Moses talked with God and asked for mercy for the Israelites in Exodus 32:11-13 after they had made the golden calf.  Let’s look at those words again: “And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?  Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.  Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to who thou swarest by thine own self, and sadist unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.” (KJV)  In the same way that Moses was pleading for mercy not just for the Israelites, but also to preserve God’s glory, so the enemy can’t boast of a win against God, David may have been doing the same thing in Psalms 13:4.

     So, why should I question that motive and strategy?  I question it, because it sounds like David and Moses are being a bit manipulative to God.  I mean God doesn’t need anyone to tell Him how to run His creations and God doesn’t need anyone looking out for Him.  I don’t know about you, but it seems a bit sneaky and wrong to ask God to help you, so that others won’t look badly upon God.  Yet, God doesn’t seem to mind.  In fact, in Exodus 32:14, we see how God changes His mind and “repented”.  (That is another verse that puzzles me.)  What are your thoughts?

     My other question is, why are we even caring what other people think?  Aren’t we trying to please God and not people?  Doesn’t Paul ask in Galatians 1:10 (KJV), “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”?  We are called to please God, not people.  We see it again in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, when Paul says, “But as we were allow of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as a pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”  We see this concept in many verses.  What are your thoughts?
 
Heavenly Father,
     Thank you for your infinite love and wisdom.  Thank you for your Word and your mercy.  Thank you for being there for us and for showing us the way to You.  Help us to be concerned with not only ourselves but with your kingdom as well.  Help us to understand your will for us when things seem a bit confusing.  I ask you this through your Son, Jesus.  Amen.

Picture

If you missed other posts in the series, you may want to go back and read them now.  Here they are:

*Psalms 13: Crying Out to God
*Psalms 13: When God Seems Far, Do We Fend for Ourselves?
*Psalms 13: Crying for Life Over Death


If you enjoyed this post, please stay tuned for the rest of the series on Psalms 13.  Also, you might like to read these similar posts:
*Perseverance: It Will Happen in God's Timing
*We are Called to be Careful for Nothing?
*Biblical Encouragement for the Depressed and Discouraged


Now, it is your turn.
     I am so thankful that you are here.  I pray that God blesses you as you read the Faith Blog by DUO Inspirations.  If you feel called to do so, please feel free to comment or contact me at any time.  I welcome your comments and look forward to reading them.  Also, if you have any questions, comments, ideas, or requests for me, please feel free to let me know.  Thank you.

     If you find value in the Faith Blog by DUO Inspirations, please share it with your friends and family.  The new share buttons will make it easier for you to do that.  Some of your friends and family may appreciate you sharing it, so they can read it as well.

     Also, if you are crying out to God and want me to pray for you as well, please feel free to contact me.  I do sometimes get people who do ask for prayer.  For those who do, thank you for reaching out.  I am happy to pray for you.  Feel free to pray for me as well.  Thank you.  God bless.

     I believe that all Christians are called to share God’s Word and encourage others to get closer to God.  In helping you with your Bible study, I have a free gift for you. Please, sign up below to receive your free gift and get the Faith Blog by DUO Inspirations in your inbox each week.  Yes, I may include some other “faith” content with the email at times, especially a prayer.

0 Comments
    2 Timothy 1:7 image by DUO Inspirations

    Hi friends!

    This is Jodi.  I am so glad you are here!  I am a Christian and life-long learner.  I enjoy sharing and encouraging others.  I pray you are blessed by this blog.  Thank you for being here.

    Archives

    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021

    Categories

    All
    1 John 4:18
    1 John 4:8
    1 Peter 4:8
    1 Thessalonians 5:11
    2 Chronicles 7:14
    2 Corinthians 1:3-4
    2 Corinthians 13:5
    2 Corinthians 6:14
    2 Peter 3:9
    Acceptable Thoughts
    Armor Of God
    Attitude
    Battered Women
    Beatitudes
    Be Careful For Nothing
    Believers
    Believers And Unbelievers
    Be Thankful
    Bible
    Bible Study
    Blessed
    Blessed Be God
    Bribes Against The Innocent
    Call Upon God's Name
    Celebrate
    Charity
    Charity Is Love
    Children Of God
    Christian
    Christianity
    Christian Lifestyle
    Christian Role Models
    Christians
    Christmas
    Christmas Tree
    Colossians 3:17
    Colossians 4:6
    Comfort
    Commandment
    Compassion
    Courage
    Covid-19
    Creativity
    Daily
    Depressed
    Depression
    Desperation
    Deuteronomy 8:18
    Devotion
    Diligent
    Discernment
    Do Everything For God
    Don't Be Wasteful
    Don't Give Up
    Drink His Blood
    DUO Inspirations
    Eat His Flesh
    Education
    Encouragement
    Encouraging Others
    Ephesians 4:23-24
    Ephesians 5:20
    Ephesians 6:11
    Faith
    Faith Blog
    Fear
    Fear Of The Lord
    Fellowship
    Flood
    Focus
    Focus On God
    Forgiveness
    Friend
    Friends
    Friendship
    Frlendliness
    Galatians 6:7
    Galatians 6:9
    Genesis 6
    Genesis 7
    Genesis 8
    Genesis 9
    Give
    Give God Thanks
    Give Thanks To God
    Giving
    God Is Love
    Godly Love
    God's Glory
    God's Kingdom
    God's Timing
    God's Word
    Good Judgment
    Good Vs Evil
    Good Works
    Guidance
    Heavenly Father
    Heavenly Peace
    Heavenly Vs Worldly
    Hebrews 10:24
    Hope
    How Not To Treat Others
    How To Treat Others
    In God's Presence
    In Jesus' Name
    Inspiration
    In The Name Of Jesus
    James 1:2-4
    James 1:26
    James 1:27
    John 14:15
    John 15:5
    John 6:12
    John 6:54
    John 7:24
    Joy
    Judging Others
    King David
    Knowing God
    Knowledge
    Lazy
    Leftovers
    Life And Death
    Lot's Wife
    Love
    Love God
    Love Of God
    Love One Another
    Love Your Enemies
    Loving Jesus
    Luke 17:32
    Luke 3:11
    Luke 6:38
    Luke 7:37-38
    Mark 12:30
    Matthew 16:22
    Matthew 22:37
    Matthew 5:10
    Matthew 5:13
    Matthew 5:3
    Matthew 5:4
    Matthew 5:44
    Matthew 5:5
    Matthew 5:6
    Matthew 6:10
    Matthew 6:11
    Matthew 6:12
    Matthew 6:13
    Matthew 6:9
    Meek
    Merciful
    Mercy
    Mischief
    Mistakes
    Needs
    New Believers
    Noah
    Noah's Ark
    One Day At A Time
    Opportunity
    Ordinary People
    Pandemic
    Parenting
    Patience
    Pay It Forward
    Peace
    Peacemakers
    Persecuted Christians
    Persecution
    Perseverance
    Peter Rebukes Jesus
    Philippians 4:6
    Plan
    Power Of Words
    Praise
    Praise God
    Prayer
    Prejudice
    Preparedness
    Proverbs 13:13
    Proverbs 13:4
    Proverbs 16:24
    Proverbs 17:22
    Proverbs 18:15
    Proverbs 18:24
    Proverbs 22:13
    Proverbs 22:6
    Proverbs 24:16
    Proverbs 24:27
    Proverbs 6:6-8
    Prudence
    Psalms
    Psalms 100
    Psalms 105:1
    Psalms 119:127
    Psalms 119:66
    Psalms 13
    Psalms 13:1
    Psalms 13:2
    Psalms 13:3
    Psalms 13:4
    Psalms 13:5
    Psalms 15
    Psalms 15:1
    Psalms 15:2
    Psalms 15:3
    Psalms 15:4
    Psalms 15:5
    Psalms 16:11
    Psalms 31:24
    Reap What You Sow
    Reliance On God
    Religion
    Renewal
    Repent
    Repentance
    Righteous
    Righteousness
    Salt Of The Earth
    Search For Truth
    Self Examination
    Self-examination
    Self-righteous
    Sermon On The Mount
    Servant Of God
    Serving The Lord
    Share With The Poor
    Sharing
    Shepherd
    Sinners
    Slothful
    Small And Fragile
    Solve Our Own Problems
    Sorrow
    Speak With Grace
    Strength
    Talk
    Temptation
    Testify
    Thankful
    Thankfulness
    Thank God
    Thanksgiving
    The Lord's Prayer
    Those Who Mourn
    Thoughts
    Train Up A Child
    True Friends
    Truth
    Uneqaully Yoked
    Usury
    Vanity
    Violence
    Wants
    Wasteful
    Wealth
    We Need Jesus
    Wisdom
    Work Ethic

    RSS Feed

P.O. Box 104
New Haven, VT 05472
Home
Contact me
Thank you for the opportunity to inspire and be inspired!
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact Me
  • Faith
    • Faith Blog
    • The Purposeful Bible Study For Those Who Want to Lose Weight
  • Education
    • Education Blog
    • Tutoring and Education Coaching Services
    • Educational Resources >
      • Prek/Kindergarten Resources
      • Elementary Grades Resources
      • Math Resources
      • Language Arts Resources
      • Writing Resources
      • Art Resources
      • Organizational Resources