Hope in Adversity
by Paul Griffin
When things aren’t going too well it is easy to feel downhearted and depressed. We can be overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, start doubting God and be open to believe the lies of Satan rather than trusting in the truth of God’s word. In these situations, we need to encourage ourselves with the promises of God, such as the ones we find in today’s verse - ‘All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame’ (Psalm 6:10).
King David faced numerous situations in which he felt surrounded by those who wanted to kill him. In many of the psalms King David prays to God that his enemies will be defeated or destroyed. I think it is really helpful when reading such psalms to remember Paul’s words to the Ephesians ‘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’ (Ephesians 6:12).
Viewing the real enemy in the Psalms as being the spiritual demonic realm operating through those opposing David, rather than the people themselves, helps me to understand Jesus’ teaching; ‘But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’ (Matthew 5:44). It was, I believe, with this understanding, that Jesus, whilst enduring the agonising pain of crucifixion, was able to say, ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34). In a similar way, Stephen, when being stoned by an angry crowd, was able to speak out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’ (Acts 7:60).
Whatever situation you are facing today, choose to walk in forgiveness and be encouraged that one day all God’s enemies will be overwhelmed and put to shame.
Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, that You overcame Satan at the cross. Thank You that Your word says that ultimately all the work of the enemy arrayed against me will be overwhelmed and put to shame. Help me Lord to always recognise who the real enemy is and to walk in forgiveness towards those unknowingly being deceived and used by this enemy. Amen.
Paul Griffin Paul spent 20 years working as a chemical engineer for an oil company in South Africa, the Middle East and Japan prior to going to Bible College. Paul and his wife Liz have been involved with Ellel since 1991 and are associate teachers as well as being authors of the books ‘Anger …How do you Handle it?’ and ‘Hope and Healing for the Abused.’
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