Friday, October 26, 2012
Psalm 52:8 But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.
AN OLIVE TREE SURROUNDED
David knew what it was like to be surrounded by his enemies. As a young man he found himself involved in that famous battle with Goliath. the giant Philistine. For a time he ran for his life from King Saul, who sought to kill him in order to preserve his own throne. Later on he ran from his own son Absalom, who also tried to put him to death. It seems like much of David's life was spent trying to escape from those who pursued him. It could not have been easy for him.
We all have some idea what it is like to be surrounded by enemies, particularly to be surrounded by enemies of God. The world around us is for the most part opposed to Him, so we do not have to go far before we run into someone who will be against us and against our Christian faith.
When we are pressed by the enemies of Christ, we can take some comfort in knowing that those enemies will not in the end win the day against God. David realized this too when he said of the enemies he faced (Psalm 52:5), "Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; He will uproot you from the land of the living."
And we take further comfort in God's unfailing love. In Christ Jesus our God has washed us clean of our guilt before Him and made us His own dear children, members of His spiritual family. He has promised us His protection, even the ultimate protection: the safety of everlasting life with Him. We become like olive trees, flourishing in His house -- even though we may be surrounded by our enemies and His. Therefore take heart and praise Him forever for what He has done!
