DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: DECEMBER 21 PRAISE GOD IN THE PRESENCE OF YOUR ENEMIES SCRIPTURES: PSALMS 56: 3-4, 6
At this period of every year, most Nigerians fear accidents on their roads due to the rush of people who want to get to their traditional homes to enjoy Christmas with their people. Travellers would be on a rush as well as drivers of commercial vehicles in anticipation of making more money. The fear is doubled every year, due to the presence of armed robbers, assassins, and kidnappers on the roads at the Yuletide period.
As seen in the lead passage, King David was found in a similar situation. Here King David was captured by the Philistines and taken to Gath. Getting to Gath, he was surrounded by enemies. Under these circumstances the obvious conclusion of one who does not know God and His power to deliver him or her would be “THEY HAVE FINALLY GOT ME TODAY.” But this cannot be King David. He said to God “When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee” (Psalms 56: 3). King David did not stop there. He said “In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (verse 4). Question here is: How is it possible for one to trust God and praise His word in the presence of His enemies?
Today’s devotional tends to answer the question. The best situation to trust God and praise His word is when dreaded situation overwhelms the heart. God responds faster to those who trust Him in the presence of their enemies. God delivers faster one who praises His word, which can be said His promised deliverance in time of troubles. This is perhaps, the word King David is referring to here. When we look at the rider statement of the Psalms 56, it says “…Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.” The word ‘Michtam’ here is Hebrew word that means ‘contemplation’. If written in English it will be, “The contemplation of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. While in this mood, King David assured himself that trusting God and praising His word will deliver him from the enemies.
Today is December 21 right? Many Nigerians are set to take off to their villages and towns. The contemplations of evil, attack of armed people, the attack of kidnappers and other bad groups may be mounting up. However, trusting God and praising Him will see us through. As a traveller, praise God ahead and tell Him to discomfit your enemies’ plans. Praise Him and ask Him in the praise to lay ambush against the enemies who might have gathered themselves; who might have hidden themselves as well as marked the place vehicle you are travelling in will reach for them to attack (see Psalms 56: 6). Praise God in absolute trust, even though you are seeing the enemies in the eyes of your fear. God will deliver you as He did for David as seen in verse 13 of Psalms 56.* Safety is my prayer for you. Amen!
PRAYER:
BLESSED HOLY SPIRIT, you know how praising God in the presence of our enemies evoke the power of the Almighty God. Fill me with the boldness to praise God in the presence of my enemies in Jesus name.
CONTACT US?* You can contact us for prayer requests or discussion through ubasimon341@gmail.com
Bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch
