Psalm 83: Defeat the Surrounding Enemies

The enemies of God’s people are the enemies of God, and the enemies of God are the enemies of God’s people. These enemies are a constant threat; they have been defeated before by the Lord and His people, but they keep hanging around, surrounding on every side.

Ten different nations, tribes and peoples are listed who threaten and plot against the pasturelands of the people of God, where they yearn to dwell securely with their Shepherd. We could name our own ten specific ever present spiritual enemies, previously defeated but presently threatening: Sin and his bad consequences, Death and his scary pains, Satan and his lying accusations. Each plots destruction and loss of life, either singly or in alliance.

The battle is the Lord’s; only Jesus overcomes; we can do nothing; He does it all. He knows our enemies; He knows what they are doing; He knows how to win. And He will. Meanwhile, while He wins for us, He wants us to pray and plead and beg for Victory so that both the beggar and the threateners know that the name of Jesus alone is Most High over all the earth and all of life.