Psalm 83

A song. A psalm of Asaph.

1 O God, do not keep silent;
be not quiet, O God, be not still.

2 See how your enemies are astir,
how your foes rear their heads.

3 With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish.

4 "Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation,
that the name of Israel be remembered no more."

5 With one mind they plot together;
they form an alliance against you-

6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab and the Hagrites,

7 Gebal, Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, with the people of Tyre.

8 Even Assyria has joined them
to lend strength to the descendants of Lot.
Selah

9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,

10 who perished at Endor
and became like refuse on the ground.

11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

12 who said, "Let us take possession
of the pasturelands of God."

13 Make them like tumbleweed, O my God,
like chaff before the wind.

14 As fire consumes the forest
or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,

15 so pursue them with your tempest
and terrify them with your storm.

16 Cover their faces with shame
so that men will seek your name, O LORD.

17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;
may they perish in disgrace.

18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Isn't it amazing the number of people against God? The psalmist listed out 10 nations of people who were determined to exterminate the Israelites. They were Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hargrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia and the Tyrians, and finally Assyria. What a mighty alliance against the people of God!

Facing such overwhelming odds and almost certain destruction, the psalmist turned towards God and cried out for help. He pleaded for God's judgement against Israel's enemies.

One of the biggest takeaway from this year's Sanctification sessions was that I knew that God dotes on me a lot. I'm like His special child and He will definitely give me the best. I've never felt such assurance ever before.

If God loves me so much, why should I fear even if everyone turns against me? If my Heavenly Father would allow His son, Jesus to die for me, what else would He not help me overcome? These words kept ringing in my head.

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

Things to ponder
1. Pray a prayer for yourself not to forget God's love for you, even when you face overwhelming odds in your life. Pray and thank God for Jesus.