Devotion 602

“Condemn Our Enemies”

Reference: Psalms Chapter 83

Israel was looking for a conquering warrior in the Messiah. They were looking for someone who would come and destroy all their enemies. They did not know their enemy was sin, their enemy was unbelief.

Today, many are looking for a Jesus Christ that destroys their enemies. They are not aware the enemy of the world is unbelief, doubt, and sin.

Unbelief in Eve led to sin, sin led to sickness, and sickness led to death. That’s the progression for every descendant of the First Adam.

Jesus Christ came to explain the Word properly to the world.

John 3:17 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

God is not looking to destroy the people who hate His children. He is looking to save them.

Luke 23:33-35 “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. [34] Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. [35] And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.”

Asaph calls on God to destroy the enemies of Israel.

Let’s read:

Psalm 83:1-16 “Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. [2] For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. [3] They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. [4] They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. [5] For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: [6] The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; [7] Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; [8] Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. [9] Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: [10] Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth. [11] Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: [12] Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession. [13] O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. [14] As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire; [15] So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm. [16] Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.”

God calls man not in anger but in Love. He came to man as a Savior and not as a destroyer.

He always wants to be known as Savior.

Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

That was how God entered the world. He came to conquer the enemy of the world which is sin, whether in the Jew or Gentile.

We conclude our reading:

Psalm 83:17-18 “Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: [18] That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.”

The way and thoughts of men and women are not His ways. May we have not the mind of men but the mind of Christ.

Philippians 2:4-5,9-10 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.”

Jesus Christ is the Name of God that He wants the world to remember.

Pray for your enemies and those who persecute you. BELIEVE and confess Christ the Word as we’ve revealed Him from the First Adam. He conquered our enemy of sin, in Christ!