Psalm 83

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Psalm

PSALM 83

1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

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Outline

“God Stands As Judge of Justice”
Psalm 83
By Pastor Clinton Macomber

1. God's Enemies are Unified

The Enemies of God make lots of trouble, Psalm 83:1-2

The Enemies have decided to remove Israel, Psalm 83:3-4

The Enemies have formed a coalition of forces, Psalm 83:5-8

2. God has Dealt with such Enemies

The Midianites, Sisera, & Jabin perished, Psalm 83:9-10

Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah, Zalmunna's leaders sought to take God's houses, Psalm 83:11-12

3. God has Instilled a Godly Abhorrence
1. Make them like threshed chaff, Psalm 83:13
2. Make them like firewood, Psalm 83:14
3. Make them terrified by storm, Psalm 83:15
4. Make them ashamed and die from shock, Psalm 83:16-17
5. Make them to know that God is above all, Psalm 83:18

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Sermon

“Stop those Enemies!”
Psalm 83
By Pastor Clinton Macomber

Christians that are dominated by teachings from the New Testament may find such psalms as these to be shocking. They clearly show an animosity toward those who are enemies. In the New Testament, we are told to love our enemies and do good to them that mistreat you.

This is actually an Old Testament teaching as well. The difference is that in the Old Testament, Israel was a nation and could defend themselves. In the New Testament, they were servants of the Romans, and subject to Roman law. If the multitudes of Jews that heard the Lord Jesus had followed His teaching, they would have been allowed to continue as a nation and country.

As Christians we are also subject to the governments under which we find ourselves. There are some that are free to move from country to country, but most cannot. Instead we must learn to live at peace as much as we can. We show honor to God by honoring the leaders that hold office, as much as possible. But there is another day coming. On that day we will be called upon to honor the Lord Jesus by seeing that wicked people are dealt with in an exemplary manner. There will be some of us who will be called upon to rule with Christ with a rod of iron. His law will be absolute. The things of this world will be destroyed.

This Psalm was written to be sung for all eternity. It is to let people know now and for many millenniums to come the end of all such as hate God and hat the people of God. What is the proper feelings we should have to the enemies of God should we become leaders in God's Kingdom?

God's Enemies are Unified

1. The Enemies of God make lots of trouble

Psalm 83:1-2 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. 2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

It is a fearful thing that the enemies of God feel they can arise, consolidate power and openly declare war on God's people and God himself. As a child of God it is hard for us to see such an attitude go unchecked, knowing the doom soon to come upon such willfully ignorant people. It is also hard to see it go on, because we know how wrong these people are, and that God can stop them in a heart-beat. In fact, God has done it several times.

2. The Enemies have decided to remove Israel

Psalm 83:3-4 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. 4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

Before action can be taken, there needs to be witnesses of the crime. Even though God knows the heart of a person, He does not allow leadership to judge on that level. Instead, governors and judges act on what is witnessed. In the first verses, the wicked are so courageous that they are willing to make a loud and flamboyant champaign against God.

In these verses, the wicked have moved from declaring their intentions to formulating a vile plan, using lawyers and experts to arrive at it, seeking to expose any that are hidden followers of God, so that Israel can be completely eradicated.

This is a repulsive thing, but it is carried out every day in the world. There are whole nations of people who have leadership that plot against Israel, and are bound and determined to have that nation completely eradicated. They will not rest until every Christian and Jew is killed.

Since 1948, the battle has been against the Jew. Now the Arab nations, assisted by the communist countries, namely Russia, have moved the battle against Americans, and primarily Christians. While Christians might have been tolerated in some Arab states like Iraq, they are now being systematically executed every day. Christians are fleeing for their lives from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Egypt, and many other countries. The locating of house churches in China has moved back to a feverish pitch. The generation that is mature now, has been raised from the crib to hate all Jews and Christians, and to see that they are all executed.

How do you deal with such inbred hatred, and deeds that carry out such violence?

Israel has been trying to train the world's soldiers from all nations, and provide the world with humanitarian advances in medicine, science and agriculture. They have made some amazing strides. Yet, you never hear of Israel as a people getting credit, or even of the advances. Instead these very things are being used to advance endeavors against Israel.

Tributary Nations under David, showing some of the coalition forces' homeland. 1

3. The Enemies have formed a coalition of forces

   Psalm 83:5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: 6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; 7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

The tabernacles of Edom is a descriptive way to describe the nation that aligned themselves with every possible combination of coalition forces to go against Israel. Edom sought to join anyone that would try to attack Israel. This aggressive attitude was common throughout Israel's long history as a nation. Isaac had twin sons, and Edom was born moments before Jacob. The boys were rivals in the womb, and throughout their lives. Their descendants have carried on the same spirit. They are nomadic Arabs still trying to kill every Jew, and remove Israel forever.

The name of Esau means “hairy.” He is called Edom, because of his love of red. He loved the red pottage and was willing to sell his birthright to get some. He loved the red land of Petra, and set up his kingdom there.

After the fall of Israel and Judah, the Edomites moved into the old kingdom of Judah and occupied the land. They were temporarily subdued by Judas Maccabeus and made part of the Jewish people. Herod was an Edomite, and had gained control of Israel under Roman domination. He sought to make the Israelites love him by fixing up the temple.

Ishmael is an older relative, being a half uncle to Isaac. Ishmael is half Egyptian, being born of Hagar. Ishmael had to be banished from his home when just a young man with his mother because of the rivalry against Isaac. This bitter hatred of Isaac's descendants continues to this day. Being nomadic people, they would at times raid Israel for the spoils of harvest. They live in the north part of Saudi Arabia.

Moab is a descendant of Abraham's nephew, Lot. Lot committed incest with his two daughters. The one daughter had Moab, and the other Ammon. The Moabites were persistently at war with Israel. Their king tried unsuccessfully to hire Balaam to curse Israel so that they could be defeated in battle. Balaam being forbidden by God to be allowed to curse Israel, instead proposed that Moab seek to intermarry the Israelites and lead them into idolatry as so weaken them, enabling their defeat. Their god was the god of war, and they likewise were in constant battle with Israel. This nation has melted into the Arab tribes of our day.

The Hagarenes were a people that we do not know much about. They seem to be descendants of Ishmael's mother, Hagar. It would seem that she married and had her own people. They were fought against in Saul's day, and defeated. Their hostilities made them a target nation in this Psalm. It is interesting to note that David made a Hagrite, Jaziz, steward of his flocks (1 Chronicles 27:31). These people make up another Arab tribe today.

Gebal is one of the earliest towns of Phoenicia and Syria. It was called “Byblos” or “books” by the Greeks, because of the huge imports of papyrus from Egypt. It is about 20 miles north of Beirut, and served as an important commercial center, and outlet for the hardwoods of Lebanon. It was from this city that a syllabic script was developed, based on Egyptian. This was passed on through the Greeks and forms the basis of our alphabet used today.

These people were known for their shipbuilding and stone-cutting. They helped construct Solomon's Temple. The important status it held throughout ancient history is evident from the many mentions among the records of other nations and the many seal impressions found there. This city now represents the seat of the country of Lebanon. But as always, this is a territory and people always dominated by neighboring power, usually Syria. As such they remain today major enemies of the state of Israel.

Ammon is now known as Amman, the capitol city of the kingdom of Jordan. This city in Biblical times was called Rabbah. These people trace their history to the younger daughter of Lot, and the incest relationship. In physical characteristics and history, it is hard for us to distinguish between the Ammonites and the Amorites. When Israel sought to enter the promised land, they were not given permission to pass through Edom, Moab or Ammon. However, the Ammonites came out against them, and were defeated. God had warned the Israelites not to occupy their land, as it was given to them as an inheritance. Deuteronomy 2:19.

The Ammonites had a long history of warfare against Israel. And from time to time became a great power. They were a real problem to those seeking to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. The Romans finally broke their power, by destroying Rabbah, but then rebuilt it to exceed any former glory. Today they wield great power, having their old city as the capitol of Jordan.

Amalek is the father of a tribe of raiding nomads that frequently caused great sorrow in Israel over many generations. They are descendants of Esau's son. This tribe settled in the Negev desert and became allies of the above tribes in endeavors to destroy Israel. David, when returning to his city of Ziklag, after being with the Philistines. David and his men found their city had been raided by the Amalekites and burned to the ground. They then went after them and slew the raiding party, recapturing their wives and families. This nomadic tribe has been a continual aggravation to the Israelites to this day.

The Philistines have been a tough group of Aegeans who settled along Mediterranean coast of south-west Israel. They were an embattled group, constantly having to defend themselves or assert themselves to regain territory. The reason being, they had the main caravan route from Egypt to Phoenicia. They also had the ports. The Egyptians considered this their own land, and so were constantly taking it back. The drawings of these “Sea-peoples” in Egypt depict them as we would draw American Indians, with feather head-dresses. Some think they are reeds. David defeated their ruling family by killing Goliath, and others on his military staff killed the other brothers. Yet, David also had several of the men of Gath as his body-guards. The nation however as a whole has remained hostile to the Israelites and has caused them great grief.

Tyre was the capitol city of the Phoenicians. David formed alliances with this nation that carried over to his son, Solomon. From this alliance, the temple was able to be raised, and many palaces built. There were friendly relations kept for some time with Israel, evident from Jezebel being given in marriage to the weak king Ahab. Shortly thereafter, the alliance was broken and Tyre became bitter enemies of Israel.

Assur is the father of Assyria. The Assyrians have acted very cruelly toward Israel, and are remembered by their cruel treatment of those they capture. It is the mercy of God that Assyria is not a nation at present, but we read that they will become a nation again soon. Actually, we read that this country will join the Arab coalition to see Israel defeated.

The Children of Lot are the Jordanians of today. Assyria is going to join this endeavor, making this a full range coalition against Israel. The only country in the region not named is Egypt. But the Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Assyria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Negev tribes are going to gather to attack Israel. It should be noted that all these countries have been armed by Russia, to do this very thing.

God has Dealt with such Enemies

1. The Midianites, Sisera, & Jabin perished

   Psalm 83:9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: 10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

The wonderful history of Israel is replete with examples of when God has saved Israel from sure defeat from these nations. It is amazing that these nations will not learn to leave Israel alone, but very few bother with history, so are doomed to repeat it. It is these stories of the great power of God that enable us to have hope that God will save Israel when it comes down to the greatest trial of all.

One of the great victories that belong to God is at the hand of Gideon. With just 300 men, the huge host of Midianites and the coalition forces, that were so large they looked as if the valley were filled with grasshoppers, were slain.

Judges 7:19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. 20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal : and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon. 21 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled. 22 And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.

Sisera was the powerful leader who had dominated Israel. Deborah was the prophetess who called upon Barak to lead an army against this cruel tyrant. Sisera responded to Israel's call to war by bringing 900 iron chariots against Israel and a huge host of soldiers. This powerful army was disrupted before the Israelites small force of 10,000 soldiers, and Sisera was slain by a woman, in whose tent he had sought refuge. Judges 4. With Sisera out of the way and the army defeated, the Israelites were able to prevail against Jabin the king of Canaan, and destroy him.

We do not have the record of the defeat at Endor, but the forces were destroyed in this area. There were so many dead soldiers, that they were left as fertilizer across the region, there not being manpower enough to bury them all.

The Christian can learn from these stories as well. Paul put it quite plainly:

2 Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

2. Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah, Zalmunna's leaders sought to take God's houses

   Psalm 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: 12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah, and Zalmunna were all kings that were defeated in the battle that Gideon initiated under orders from God. As word of the victory spread, the other tribes were able to rise up and break off the yoke of their oppressors. These thought they could just take what God had given to Israel for themselves. They found out that when the Israelites follow God, He stands up for them and helps them defeat the enemies.

God has Instilled a Godly Abhorrence

1. Make them like threshed chaff

   Psalm 83:13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

These words come from someone who has felt horrible pain from these nations. They also know how wrong it is for them to continue in their wickedness, being allowed to hurt others.

There are actually two allusions of judgment mentioned to punish these horrible Arabs that live to do nothing but kill Jews. The first is to drive them away by wheels that chase them. The second is to drive them away as chaff is driven away on the threshing floor.

The first part is mentioned in Isaiah:

Isaiah 17:13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

The likeness is to a large tank that the whirlwind puts a spin on and uses to threaten to crush the evil doers if they do not make an escape. While this is a very likely interpretation, it is even more probable that it may be referring to a tornado, that is known to pick up large and small objects and hurl them to completely different locations, often completely destroying the object.

The allusion to the chaff follows this latter thought. Since the beginning, man has harvested grains and taken them up to a high point where there is often a cleft in the rocks. It is there that the winds pick up in the afternoons and the high banks of a narrow gorge funnel the winds so that it blows with a sufficient force to be able to take the chaff away from the grain that is tossed into the air. The debris being lighter than the grain berries, becomes airborne and is blown on down the hillside. The heavy grains fall back to the windswept pavement, to be gathered and taken home. The prayer is that God will do this with the wicked.

Now the only reason to call upon God to use these two techniques is because the wicked are so prevalently intermixed with God's people, that no simple destruction of an area will accomplish the intended action of ridding the earth of violence. Tornadoes take away one house and leave the one beside it unscathed. The same is true with grain separation. The wind carries away the worthless and bothersome material, leaving the valuable food behind.

2. Make them like firewood

   Psalm 83:14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

The next request is for the wicked to be turned into firewood, much like a forest fire. We live in a time when the government has bought up the forested areas of the country and banned management of the many resources found in them. So to try to awkwardly manage them as the godless environmentalists would have done, they do “controlled” burns. This is a horrible way to manage God's creation, because it does more harm than if it is managed by those who have purchased it and seek to manage the land they have.

But at the same time, this is also a tool used to get rid of harmful buildups of weeds, brush, and uncontrolled wildlife. The big trees usually survive, and the brush is not so damaged it cannot grow right back. What is lost is a huge host of pests, disease, and unmanageably dense undergrowth. It is a quick way to clean up a piece of land, so that it can be utilized and made productive.

3. Make them terrified by storm

   Psalm 83:15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

God's people know how absolutely unspeakable the power of the storm of God is when He comes to this earth. Nothing is like it at all. We would like God to frighten the wicked with a display of His power that they could not ignore! We know God has the power, we see it in every storm, but the wicked think that storms are just part of evolution.

4. Make them ashamed and die from shock

   Psalm 83:16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD. 17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

This gets to the heart of the problem. The wicked are actually too proud to bow down before God and admit their weakness and inability. God could scare them into salvation, but their hearts would not be in it, and it would not be a voluntary embrace of the truth. So instead God leaves evidence of His power everywhere, and uses His children as witnesses of that power. If the wicked, heed and turn from their wickedness, then God can use them. The time of fright will come after their hearts have hardened.

5. Make them to know that God is above all

   Psalm 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

In closing, the prayer is not to destroy the wicked but to enable all people everywhere to understand and see first hand the power of which we speak. There is only one God, and He is the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of all mankind. There is a day coming when God's officers list will be filled. Mankind will reach a point at which they cannot be saved, and will remained hardened in their sins. It is at this point that the Lord Jesus will come with a rod of iron and separate those who enter His kingdom from those who will be doomed for eternity. May that day come soon, and may His name be praised.

1 Norris, D. T. “David's Empire and Tributary Nations.” Logos Deluxe Map Set . Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. 1997.

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Topic Study

The Enemies of God
by Pastor Clinton Macomber

The enemies of God will be burned like the fat of sacrificial animals.

Psalm 37:20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

The Sorcerer, Elymas, sought to disuade a deputy from the faith, was confronted by Paul and called the enemy of righteousness. He was then blinded for a season.

Acts 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

We were all enemies of God, until we were saved by the life of Jesus.

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

We were at one time enemies of God in our mind, but are changed and worked with to present to Him as holy.

Colossians 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Paul weeps as he speaks of those that walk as enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction.

Philippians 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Friendship with the world, makes us an enemy of Godhead.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

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Quote

O God, keep not Thou silence; hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. (r.v.) Psalm 83:1

Oh that God would break the silence! If He would but say one word! If we might but hear that voice—deep as the sound of many waters, and tender as the call of love—just to say that He was there; that all which we believed was true; that He was satisfied and pleased; that our perplexities would work out right at last! It is so difficult sometimes to go on living day by day without one authoritative word; and we are prone to rebuke Him for silence, that He is still, that He holds his peace. “Be not Thou silent unto me, lest I be like those that go down into the pit.”

But God has not kept silence. The Word was manifested. In Him the silence of eternity was broken. And if thou and I are still, if our ear is purged, and anointed with the blood and oil, if we make a great silence in our heart, we shall hear Him speak.

“Where is thy haunt, Eternal Voice?
The region of thy choice;
Where, undisturbed by earth, the soul
Owns thy entire control.”

'Tis not where torrents are born, nor amid snowcapped peaks, nor in the break of the surf; but in the heart, weaned from itself, isolated in chambers of sickness, cast among strangers, yearning for tender voices that cannot make themselves heard—there God is no longer still. He breaks the silence. “Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God.” “It is I; be not afraid.” It is always easy to detect God's voice, because it is full of Jesus, who is the Word of God, and it is corroborated by Providence; but the heart must be still, and on the listen!

Meyer, F. B. Our Daily Homily Redding, California: Pleasant Places Press, 2004. Volume 3, Page 83.

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Devotions

Monday, Psalm 83:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 1:1-6

There is a big difference between being a leader, and having to protect a jurisdiction and being a Christian, and learning to develop the right kind of soul and spirit. We have to develop both directions. Because of our status, we are unable to wield any political authority. So, while we can pray the prayer of the Psalms, and sing the hymns, we also cannot let something we have no control over change our attitude. We can learn to be thankful for the present circumstances because they lead us to Christ, and enrich our lives. But, just because we are thankful for them, it does not mean we endorse the wicked or seek to support evil. Instead we separate as much as possible so we can live at peace in a decrepit world.

Tuesday, Psalm 83:4-6 and 1 Corinthians 1:7-11

Contentions belong to the evil. As Children of God there are too many wicked about us that need salvation for us to be involved in infighting. Usually contention comes from a lack of vision and realistic goals. Another reason for fighting is that people get discouraged when they do not see things that enable them to brag or feel important. A third reason is they feel uncomfortable and are looking for things and people to blame. There are other reasons, but the underlying problem is sin. Sin causes fighting. It is sin that makes the world want to fight God's people. And, when sin enters the assembly of God's people, there is contention.

Wednesday, Psalm 83:7-9 and 1 Corinthians 1:12-16

People are always looking for a cause and a reason to hate and love. The world makes huge alliances, looking for common enemies. The church can fall prey to the same problems, because Christians looses sight of the real enemy without. This causes the enemy to win without any real effort. If the world can unite over very flimsy and evil reasons, why cannot the Christians do so when they have redemption and eternity in view? The reason is that not all that call themselves Christians are redeemed. God allows the weeds to grow up among His own people. He waits until the harvest time, before making the distinction and separating them.

Thursday, Psalm 83:10-12 and 1 Corinthians 1:17-21

The world looks at the child of God as being foolish and an easy prey. They do not remember the huge pile of bones from those who have been broken when seeking to hurt and destroy God's people, because they are not students of history, nor do they seek wisdom from God. God on the other hand, loves taking the most foolish among men, redeeming them and using such people to demonstrate how incapable the wisest in the world are when it comes to daily living.

Friday, Psalm 83:13-15 and 1 Corinthians 1:22-26

One of the big problems with Christians being involved in fighting each other is that they pray prayers of judgment and hatred on their own brethren. This is a sign that they are not of God, because they do not have God's love in their hearts. The real enemy is in the world, and they are the ones who have the power of government behind them. God intervenes from time to time to show them they are misusing their office. God's people learn that their ways are not to be praised but condemned. Often they stand alone in such endeavors. Paul points out that very few get saved when they have a political office. Instead God saves the lowly, and through their tenacity in following God, serve as a witness before the powers of this world.

Saturday, Psalm 83:16-18 and 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

The prayer of the Psalm is that God would humble the wicked leaders of the world so that they would turn to God for advice and help. Paul answers that God does this by choosing the weakest and most unlikely to be leaders and saves them and prepares them to testify before kings of the power of God, so that no man will dare to glory in His presence. The prayer of Asaph was a prayer that was being answered, because Asaph and many others who have sun this hymn from the heart, had already been chosen vessels to declare the glory of God to the largest audience of heathen in the world.

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Psalm 83

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