Stronger than all enemies Psalm 35 NIV
In order to understand this article, you will need to read this Psalm. Take a look at the different translations, which always say the same thing but use different words for it. Personally, I find the Schlachter 2000 translation to be the clearest. I really like the paraphrasing and description with these somewhat outdated formulations.
In Proverbs and Psalms we are repeatedly reminded of the destructive power of the tongue and warned against sitting in the circles of fools and scoffers. David also cried out to God several times in the Psalms to help him and punish his scoffers. But even though I can understand very well what drives him, I realize that I cannot adopt it one-to-one. I do not want my scoffers and slanderers to be destroyed by God, to disappear from the face of the earth, to fall into the pit they have dug for others, to be ashamed because they are caught lying.
I want God to lead them to the point where they recognize their own mistakes and the desire to change something arises within them. I want them to recognize God in their lives in one way or another and start to think about it. I want them to experience the same acceptance and the same love from God that I myself experience and have experienced. Because, let's be honest, each of us has a mocker and slanderer within us and everyone has experienced at least once what it feels like to be the victim of lies, slander and mockery.
We are and have all been sinners and perhaps for this reason I wish for salvation and change for my “enemies” and not destruction and despair.
Only the permanent process of forgiveness helps me to deal with my “enemies” in a different way.
However, I agree with David on one thing: we can never praise and thank God enough. Everything in us should reach out to God and his closeness.
I wish for a relationship with God that is as close as my cats have with me. I go to God with full trust. To his sanctuary, to seek his closeness. I want to stretch out at his side and feel his warmth, this acceptance and this love, and share in his divine calm and peace. I am not frightened by a loud noise or other unknown and unexpected things, because I know that I am safe and protected with him.
If God is for us, who can be against us!
I wish you a blessed week and new deep encounters with God.
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