Psalm 83 Commentary
The psalmist references several high points from the rich history of the nation. It’s a history of God’s victory over Israel’s enemies.
Then comes the petition. “Cover their faces with shame, LORD, so that they will seek your name.”
Of course, don’t think of evangelism when the psalmist thinks of the enemy seeking God’s name. During this time, men and women would follow whichever god produced the greatest premiums!
The New Testament has a different focus. There is a cost to following Israel’s God. Check it. Assess it. Then decide if it makes sense for you to follow Jesus!
Yet, a prayer for relief from trouble isn’t at all bad. But when laced with selfishness and an ambition exclusively designed to elevate the saint above his or her enemies, such a prayer becomes bad.
At times, we pray against our enemies simply because we feel we don’t have their success, what we have come to consider as success.
Prayers motivated by vanity are always bad.
Listen to your own prayer and subject it to a critical analysis. Yes, you want relief from trouble. But is it for its own sake, or is vanity the main motivation?
“Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord – that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.”
This would be an important ending to any spiritual warfare.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 