Psalm 59-:10

Psalm 59:10

God will go before me

Some of the verses of the Psalms leave me feeling a bit uncomfortable. Are you like that too? The words of the Lord Jesus ring in my ears, “But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, ...” Matthew 5:44. David didn’t seem to think this way, he despised his enemies and certainly didn’t bless them, in fact he couldn’t wait to see them defeated and exposed for their wickedness!

Is this contrast between the words of Jesus and the words of David related to Old and New Testament thinking? Was Jesus kinder than David? Can you imagine going up to the ancient King of Israel and wagging your finger and asking him to be nice to all those who oppose Him because Messiah will be nice to them? Has God changed the way He views His enemies? 

Correct me if I am wrong but I think this argument is all about two different kingdoms. David was treated unjustly; his kingdom was threatened as we have seen. There were countless men who wanted to take his life, both from foreign nations but also from those who were Israelites and some who were deemed to be his friends. On many occasions the king had to take up his armour, grab his sword and fight for his kingdom. However, it was a physical battle for a physical land and for a people who needed to be protected against armies from surrounding nations. The only way that David was going to succeed was to fight with a literal sword and a literal army. Time and again, he appealed to the Lord God to give him support and strength to defeat his foes and that sometimes meant killing them!

Our role as believers is different but the ultimate enemy is the same and the battle rules are the same too. The Jews were perplexed when Messiah came and He chose to ride on the foal of an ass, not a gleaming white charger. He came with compassion and kindness, but the hatred was the same as that felt by his ancestor. The battle that Jesus fought was spiritual and was fought with spiritual weapons. Our Lord was still defending His people but not to give them a physical land but rather a spiritual inheritance. Our job is not to take up literal swords and spears, we can afford to love our human enemies because our battle is not with them. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armour of God…” 

Our Lord has not gone soft! The battle we are engaged in is far more sinister and wicked than David’s military battles. And the outcome will be ferocious and deadly when the Day of Judgement is revealed. So let us remember that “Our God will go before us and He will let us gloat over those who slander us.” Hallelujah!

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