When Enemies Strike (Ps. 9:3)

When my enemies turn back,
     They stumble and perish before You.
(Psalm 9:3, NASB)

We think we live in turbulent times … and we do indeed. However, if you read the Old Testament, you’ll see what turbulence times really were. David certainly knew turbulence. Constant wars. Enemies chasing him, seeking his death.

But he also knew God’s faithfulness. He knew he was God’s anointed king, and even through his sin and its consequences, David was confident in God’s ultimate protection. Time and time again, David prayed for victory over his enemies, and time and time again, God answered his prayer, like He did in today's verse. God caused David's enemies to stumble and perish.

But not always. Sometimes the enemy won.

And sometimes the enemy seems to win against us as well. How often has someone hurt you or maligned you or tried to destroy you? You pray he’ll stumble, yet he doesn’t. No. Instead, the enemy wins—or at least it appears so.

At those times, the only thing to do is exactly what David did: Cry out to God and trust He’ll protect us—whether or not our enemy stumbles or turns back.

And no matter whether our enemy does win a battle or two, we can be confident in knowing that God is the ultimate Victor!

The Ultimate Victor (1 Cor. 15:20-28)

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
(1 Corinthians 15:20-28, NASB)

Adam’s choice in the Garden of Eden brought sin into the world—the sin of pride, of wanting to not just be like God, but to be God.

And Adam’s sin infiltrated the hearts and souls of all of his descendents. We are all sinful. Or as Paul wrote in another of his epistles: “All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory” (Romans 3:23).

We can in no way solve the problem of sin—on our own, that is. But there is One far greater than any sin we could possibly commit. There is One through whom we can “all be made alive.”

Sometimes it seems like the enemy is winning. Sin is rampant. Corruption prevails. Perversion triumphs. Satan is licking his chops in glee as he sees the downward spiral of this earth.

Ah, but we know the end of the story. We know that Jesus “has put all His enemies under His feet … He has put all things in subjection under His feet.”

Yes, through one man sin entered the world. But through the Son of Man, the “last enemy that will be abolished is death.”  Right will overcome wrong. Life will vanquish death.

And those of us who have chosen to follow Christ will spend eternity with our God—Father, Son, and Spirit. Everything else will fall away.

So I say, “Lord Jesus, come quickly!”

A Happy Ending (Est. 8:9-17)

Esther 8:9-17 (CEV)

And so our story ends.

A law is enacted that the Jews may defend themselves against any attacks. And throughout the region, there is great rejoicing as the people of Israel realize their God has secured for them the victory.

So what lessons can we learn from Esther’s story?

First, pride will usually bring its own downfall. Perhaps it won’t lead to hanging on a tower, but it will alienate others. It will breed discontent. It will sow a desire for wanting more—and even more.

Second, standing by our convictions may mean persecution (Matt. 5:10-11; Mark 13:13). This is especially pertinent today. People are careful—for the most part—to avoid ridiculing others for race, gender, or religious background. Except if you’re a Christian, that is. We’re fair game. If we proclaim something as biblically-determined sin, we’re intolerant. If we surrender our lives to God’s will, we’re weak. If we rely solely on Him, we need a crutch.

Third, God is in loving control—whether we sense His presence or not. He never leaves us or forsakes us (Heb. 13:5). Never. And even if we never mention His name, He is here.

Finally, our God is the victor. Even when it seems the enemy is winning the battle, God will win the war (John 16:33). And if we follow Him, trusting Him in all circumstance, we too will be victorious.

We can learn a lot from Esther’s story. Pray for God to reveal His lesson for you.

And may the God of Esther and Mordecai bless and keep you. Amen.