A Theology of Prayer - Struggles in Prayer

Study 49

Text: Psalm 17

STRENGTH TO BATTLE EVIL CONSTANTLY

Evil will never cease to wage war! Evil wages war on anyone and everyone. It will battle the good. It will also give battle to other evil people. One must be prepared for endless battle with evil! To be easily wearied out is to lose the battle! Thus special strength from the Lord must be found to battle evil. (The Apostle Paul was right to urge all believers to find that special strength in the might of the Lord in spiritual battle- Eph. 6:10).

DESCRIPTION OF HOW EVIL WILL ATTACK

We have a very vivid (an alarming) description of how the psalmist felt attacked by evil men.

"Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.
They have closed up their fat hearts,
With their mouths they speak proudly.
They have surrounded us in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,
As a lion is eager to tear his prey,
And like a young lion lurking in secret places."
Psalm 17:8-12

One particular sin is highlighted in this text- "oppression." David found himself "surrounded" by wicked people. They were compared to ravenous lions, waiting to tear the prey to pieces.

Describing them from another perspective, David described these wicked men as "deadly enemies." They were people whose hearts were closed. They listened to no one except their own proud thoughts! Working together as if they were a troop of lions, these evil men sought to slay whom they could.

THE DEVIL AS A ROARING LION

The apostle Peter wrote to warn his readers in his first general epistle of their great spiritual enemy.

"Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil
walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
1 Peter 4:8

THE IMMEDIATE MOMENT

David felt that what was needed in the immediate moment was the Lord's personal protection. He pleaded that the Lord would indeed keep him tenderly as "the apple of His eye." He prayed that he might find refuge under the protective wings of the Lord! There are times when we may feel overwhelmed as we battle evil. If ever that happens, it would be wise to plead for special protection from the Lord!

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~