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A Holy Serenity In The Hour Of Terror

"The more malice appears in our enemies against us the more earnest we should be in prayer to God to take us under His protection. In Him believers may count upon a security, and may enjoy it and themselves with a holy serenity. Those are safe whom God preserves. If God be for us, who can be against us?" - Matthew Henry

David knew what it was like to face danger. He also knew where to find shelter and be safe. Whenever calamity was near, he ran to the Lord Who was his mighty stronghold in the time of trouble.

Throughout the Psalms, we find his prayers where he pleaded with God for deliverance and preservation from those who were set on his destruction. Some examples of these entreaties are as follows -

• Psalm 59:1-3 - "Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me..."

• Psalm 71:4 - "Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man."

• Psalm 140:1 - "Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man."

• Psalm 140:4 - "Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings."

From whom did he seek deliverance? Over whom did he desire to triumph?

• "them that rise up against me"

• "the workers of iniquity" sent to kill him

• "the bloody men"

• "those who "lie in wait" for his soul as wild beasts who watch in secret in order to spring upon their victim

• "the mighty" - the strong, hostile, cruel men who had no scruples "the wicked"

• "the unrighteous and cruel man" who desired to tear him to pieces

• "the evil man" who sought to injure him

• "the violent man" who continuously practiced violence and those who "purposed to overthrow my goings" - to ruin him by defeating and overthrowing all his plans and designs

Psalm 86:14 - His prayer was desperate. He needed a speedy response - "O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set Thee before them."

His enemies were self-confident, haughty, and ambitious while they disregarded the rights of others. They were an "assembly" of wicked, terrible, and violent men who were fierce and lawless tyrants. They dealt with others in a savage manner, deriving great satisfaction in inspiring terror in their victims. They obviously had no fear of God nor any regard for His laws.

In spite of the ferocious nature of his foes, David was confident of victory and deliverance. He had God's Mighty Promises for the foundation of his Faith.

Psalm 18:48 - "He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, Thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: Thou hast delivered me from the violent man."
Psalm 72:14 - "He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in His sight."

God delivers. He is the Mighty Redeemer. That is a sure thing.
He delivers His people from all of their foes.
He causes them to triumph over them.
He rescues them from men of injustice who control by force, from those who practice deceit, as well as from all proud oppressors and persecutors.

David had no problem placing his trust in such a Faithful God.

• 2 Samuel 22:3 - He found Him to be - "The God of my rock; in Him will I trust...my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour..."

• Psalm 9:9 - "...a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."

• Psalm 18:2 - "...my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in Whom I will trust; my buckler..."

• Psalm 27:1 - "...my light and my salvation...the strength of my life..."

• Psalm 37:39 - "...strength in the time of trouble."

• Psalm 144:2 - "My goodness...my shield..."

What a strength and power the Lord Jesus is! He is our sole hiding place.

• He is a stronghold out of the reach of all evil.

• He is a "high tower" that can never be scaled or brought down.

• He is a high and lofty "rock" that is inaccessible to all of our enemies.

• He is a shield and "buckler" against all of the fiery darts of the wicked one.

• He is the fountain of all goodness for His people.

• He is the "horn of...salvation." Just as the horn is the means of defense for the animal, even so is the Lord God the means of defense for His people.

All who are crushed, broken, dejected, wronged, down-trodden, in trouble, and victims of injustice and tyranny are encouraged to run into this "High Tower" for shelter and safety.

• Psalm 27:1 - Out of this Mighty Stronghold and Fortress, they are enabled to call out to their enemies - "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

• 2 Samuel 22:3 - There is no doubt in their hearts and minds that this One is the Only One Who "savest... from violence."

Sadly and regrettably, not everyone has this same assurance. There are those who have forsaken the Lord as their only trust. They have not made Him their portion. Their confidence is in the multiplication of their riches and resources. In the day of calamity, they will realize that their money cannot save them but only fail them.
Psalm 52:7 - "Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness."

The Scriptures assure us that the wicked and "violent man" will be destroyed and hunted down speedily as a beast of prey. "Evil" will follow him and bring him to ruin.

In Psalm 140:11, David prayed - "Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him."

This man whose tongue is set on fire by Hell itself will not be successful in carrying out his plans and designs. This "violent man" will be overthrown. We can be certain of it!

Are you surrounded by violence at this time?
Is the enemy of your soul tormenting your mind with fear?

Like David, look unto the Lord your God.
He will rescue you.
He will deliver you from the "violent man."
You need not be afraid any longer.

May God Bless His Word.
Connie

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