Psalm 35 “Dealing with Enemies”

Truth for Truckers *March 5, 2014* Psalm 35 “Dealing with Enemies”

     This Psalm sets forth David’s understanding of principles for dealing with his enemies found in Deuteronomy 32:35 when Moses in his last sermon to the children of Israel recorded these valuable truths: “To Me belongs vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.” In this Psalm David recognizes that his enemies are in reality God’s enemies and He will deal with them His way and in His time. Therefore, David makes over twenty different prayer requests to the LORD for His intervention to rescue him and bring His righteous vengeance upon his enemies.

     Paul also wrote in Romans 12:19, 20: “For it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore, if thy enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shall heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil; but overcome evil with good.” In these verses Paul also utilized Moses teaching from Deuteronomy 32:35 and added this wisdom from Solomon: “If thy enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shall heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.” (Proverb 25:21, 22) 

     However, the Lord Jesus gave the ultimate admonition to His disciples concerning their enemies in the Sermon on the Mount: “Ye have heard that it has been said, Thou shall love thy neighbor, and hate thy enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”(Matthew 5:43, 44).

     Because of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we as believers are blessed with, we have an additional obligation to deal with our enemies as Jesus commanded the disciples and all Believers for: “We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (II Corinthians 4:7). And even though there are those who say the Sermon on the Mount when these commands from the Lord Jesus concerning our enemies were given, is not for this age. But, that is just a veiled denial of the truth that all of us as Holy Spirit-filled Believers must obey! Indeed, in the flesh, this kind of conduct definitely is impossible, but by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit all things are possible through Him!

     So, this lengthy Psalm written over 1,000 years before the Lord Jesus was born of the virgin Mary utilizes the teaching of Moses concerning our enemies as David clearly put the decisions and dealings with his enemies into the hand of God. We as New Testament believers must do the same, but also apply the principles given to us by Paul and the Lord Jesus Christ as we will encounter those who will be or are now our enemies and persecutors even as we speak. Let us go forth with the power of the Lord’s Spirit and glorify Him! For, how better to lay a foundation for witnessing to our enemies of the marvelous grace of God through His so great salvation than by loving our enemies as the Lord commanded? Yes, Drivers, “Souls for Jesus” must be our continuing battle cry because witnessing for Him is the main reason He left us here on earth!! Therefore, dealing with our enemies is just another avenue to enhance our witnessing!

Chaplain L.E.Wolfe www.btmi.org I-85 Exit 35 SC  McPilot  Stop in, and please pray for our ministry!