Treacherous Enemies

TEXT: PSALMS 35:19-25 (NLT).

'Don’t let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat. Don’t let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow. They don’t talk of peace; they plot against innocent people who mind their own business.They shout, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we saw him do it!”

O LORD, you know all about this. Do not stay silent. Do not abandon me now, O Lord. Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my God and my Lord.

Declare me not guilty, O LORD my God, for you give justice. Don’t let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles.

Don’t let them say, “Look, we got what we wanted! Now we will eat him alive!”

PHYSICAL BEAUTY AND CHARM IS DECEPTIVE

Absalom was a very handsome and attractive man. He had no blemish from the sole of his feet to the crown of the hair on his head. He was a physical specimen of the highest quality (2 Sam 14:25). But he had a fearsome and destructive heart. He was deceptive, cunning and evil minded. A green snake in green grass. He was a handsome, treacherous household enemy. Beware, beauty is vain. The gifts God has given you will not take you away from his presence in Jesus name.

A TREACHEROUS MAN

Absalom conspired to kill his brother, Amnon for raping his sister, Tamar (2 Sam 13:28-29). He wickedly destroyed the farm of his father's servant for refusing to see him (2 Sam 14:29-30). He deceptively stole the heart of the people, plotted and executed a coup against his father, sacked him as King and conspired to kill him (2 Sam 15:6,10-14,, 31). He openly slept with his father's concubines as Ahitophel, the counselor of his father advised him to do. He dishonoured and shamed his father. King David ran for his life. The son he loved with all his heart turned against him. Absalom's pride eventually swallowed him and ultimately destroyed him (2 Sam 18:15). Whoever is mocking you today and exalting themselves over you will be swallowed by their arrogance and be destroyed in Jesus name.

A ROUGH AND TOUGH JOURNEY

Life's journey is rough and tough, with lots of potholes and bumps along the road. The Christian race is not a bed of roses, thorns and thistles prick the righteous along the narrow road. The heart of man is desperately wicked and difficult to decipher. Life is served on the table of betrayal. People kiss you smiling with knives and guns pointing at your heart. There are treacherous enemies like Absalom around us; friends, family members and brethren, waiting to rejoice and gloat over our distress and defeat. They will fail because the Lord, God "...disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise" (Job 5:12). Every evil conspiracy of the wicked against you will not succeed in Jesus name.

GOD IS FAITHFUL

Although David fled from his wicked and treacherous son, God did not abandon him. He cried to God and the Lord arose for his defence. God took up his case and vindicated him. The wise counsel of Ahitophel; Absalom's co-conspirator, was turned to foolishness, which led to Ahitophel committing suicide. Jesus said, "a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ (Matt 10:36). Judas Iscariot sold Jesus for thirty shekels of silver. He stabbed Jesus in the back with a treacherous kiss. The Lord will take up your case. He will not allow evil men who disguise as friends to put your to shame or truimph over you in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER:

Father, arise for me. Take up my case. Do not allow treacherous enemies to triumph over me in Jesus name.

CONFESSION:

Every evil counsel and enterprise against me will not succeed.

God bless you. Shalom.