CHRIST AND THE ENEMY

“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you”, 1 John 3. 13. Psalms, such as 35, 59 and 64, deal with the nations in opposition to Israel, and with their endeavours to exterminate the people of God. Relating this subject to Christ and also to ourselves, we see the techniques that the enemy uses.

The Enemy’s Tenacity, “strive with me”, 35. 1. This shows how our archenemy persisted in his endeavours to overthrow Christ. But the persistence met with a greater resistance.

The Enemy’s Trap, “hid for me their net in a pit”, 35. 7, a method used to catch a wild animal. Christ’s answers to His enemies’ verbal traps are a joy to read and study; Matt. 22. 15ff.

The Enemy’s Threats, “rise up against me”, 59. 1. This stresses the strength and the violence of the enemy. Whenever Christ was so threatened, He committed His cause to His God, the One who judges righteously, 1 Pet. 2. 23.

The Enemy’s Task, “workers of iniquity”, 59. 2. This highlights not only the corruption that exists, but activities which are aimed at undoing the work of God.

The Enemy’s Treachery, “lie in wait”, 59. 3. This shows the subtilty of the enemy in terms of place and timing in his endeavour to attack us. With respect to Christ, subtilty was met with open rebuke; cf. Matt. 16. 22, 23.

The Enemy’s Technique, “run and prepare themselves”, 59. 4. This brings with it the idea of sudden assault and readiness to meet it. Christ knew what was in man!

The Enemy’s Taunts, “a noise like a dog”, 59. 6. This suggests wild, savage and hungry dogs completely out of control. When the enemy shouts, it is a sign of weakness, not of strength—he cannot control himself.

The Enemy’s Tongue, “swords are in their lips”, 59. 7; this emphasizes the wounding effect of words. The sharp tongue of the enemy was no match for the gentle voice of Christ.

The Enemy’s Thoughts, “the secret counsel of the wicked”, 64. 2. This brings out their design and calculated tactics.

The Enemy’s Triumph, “encourage themselves in an evil matter”, 64. 5, laying bare the pleasure of the enemy in their evil design. We can rejoice that Christ completely destroyed Satan and his works; cf. Heb. 2. 14, 15; Rev. 17. 14.