When my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish at Your presence. For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging in righteousness. (Psalm 9:3-4)
As David continues, all of the marvelous works he wished to give thanks for included the times when God turned back his enemies. In David’s life there had been many; one event that comes to mind is when he went out to face Goliath. There he stood; a huge warrior shielded head to toe in armor, and yet, God guided that small stone to the one place David’s enemy was left vulnerable. When the Philistines saw their champion fall, they turned their backs and fled for their lives. In David’s words, they perished when faced with the Presence of God.
In this and many other circumstances, David had witnessed the goodness of God and was compelled to give thanks. Through the years, God had fought for David and, in his words, “maintained my cause” by executing righteous judgment against those who stood against God’s anointed. At the same time, as the Righteous Judge, God reproved David when he acted unrighteously as in the death of his son born to Bathsheba. In short, David praised God for His righteousness, when it resulted in victory over his enemies, and when it rendered discipline and correction for him.
To rejoice and give thanks for the defeat of our enemies requires almost no effort on our part — it is a logical and natural result. However, to rejoice and give thanks when God deals justly with us because of our poor behavior doesn’t come so easy. Yet, if we truly desire justice and righteousness to reign in our lives, then we must be receptive to when it requires chastening, repentance and a change in our thinking and actions.
Having been reproved many times myself, I can say that the season of chastening is not enjoyable — to the contrary it is miserable. That being said, looking back on the outcome of the correction, I can say without hesitation that I’m grateful for His just reproof in my life. And so I join with David in expressing gratitude for God’s righteousness in all things — for victory over my enemies, the greatest of which is the man I see in the mirror.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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