Psalm 68:2

Psalm 68:2

Blow them away like smoke!

We’re back to that old dilemma; how should we view our enemies? Jesus talked about praying for them and loving them! “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:27-31. I would not have wanted to be the one to suggest this to David, would you?  He wants to see his foes blown away like smoke, he wants them to melt like wax before the fire and to perish before God.

The difference between David and you and me is that he was a tool in God’s hands who spent a lifetime fighting off enemies both inside his family and nation, and through the surrounding, pagan neighbours. He had a lifetime of bloodshed and fighting just to preserve his kingdom and his royal throne. In this Psalm he depicts the travels of the Children of Israel from Sinai to the Promised Land, and it too was a journey of military conquest. By the way, the Crusaders still had the Old Testament attitude, as have many others who have taken up the sword in the name of their God. 

Our battle is not against flesh and blood, it is not won by military means but by spiritual warfare. We are equipped to fight, not against our fellow men but against unseen, far more devious foes. Thus, we do not ask the Lord God to blow our human enemies away like smoke – just the spiritual ones!

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