Righteous indignation rose in young David when he heard Goliath’s rant. “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26 NIV). To deride God’s people was to mock God. The taunts that moved David to fight caused the rest of Israel’s army to cower in fear.
Every day reports of injustice surface. Whether its conglomerates canceling products because they don’t like the founder’s political views, teachers abusing their influence to manipulate students’ thinking, meetings asking professionals to identify their personal pronouns (aka gender of the day), or new laws channeling millions of American tax dollars to fund abortion, Goliath is shaking his fist at God.
How do we respond? Do we, like Israel’s army, hide in fear? Or do we share David’s stance and face the enemy head on? If the latter, how do we protect ourselves from an unrighteous expression of righteous indignation?
Righteous indignation rose in young David when he heard Goliath’s rant. “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26 NIV). #BigGod Share on XArmor Up and Pray
When Habakkuk struggled with the injustices he saw, the Lord assured the prophet He would punish those wrongs. The wicked may build their cities with injustices, but those very accomplishments would witness against them in the high court of heaven.
Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life. The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it.
Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice! Has not the Lord Almighty determined that the people’s labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing?” (Habakkuk 2:9-13 NIV).
What the Enemy Intends for Evil…
Throughout the scriptures God turned the enemy’s own weapons against them. Note the following examples.
- David came against Goliath “in the name of the Lord” and downed him with a single stone from his sling. But he used Goliath’s sword to kill and decapitate the giant.
. - Wicked Haman plotted against God’s chosen people. Esther asked the Jews to pray and fast for three days. Haman’s wickedness was exposed. “They hanged Haman on the wooden gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai [Esther’s cousin, a righteous Jew]” (Esther 7:10 NASB, emphasis added).
. - When tens of thousands of Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples joined forces against Israel, Gideon and his band of 300 went up against this vast army carrying trumpets and torches hidden in terra cotta jars.
The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, ‘A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!’ While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords” (Judg. 7:20-22 NIV, emphasis added).
- One of the more humorous stories found in the Bible involves a false prophet and a donkey. Balak, king of Moab,engaged the false prophet Balaam to curse Israel. But God had other plans. Balaam opened his mouth to curse Israel, and blessings flowed instead.
Balak said to Balaam, ‘What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!’” (Num. 23:11 NIV).
We could name many more. These accounts show that what the enemy intends for evil God will use to accomplish His good purposes (Gen. 50:20). Today, we put on our armor, stand firm, and pray! God is still on the throne.
When the Enemy Seems to Be Winning—hold on. God is still on the throne. #RefreshingFaith #Devotional Share on XSee, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness” (Habakkuk 2: 4 NIV).
Resources
Give Yourself a Break: From Unrealistic Expectations and Difficult People
Click here to comment.
Blessings,
Photo by Franzwa Roux on Unsplash
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#InstaEncouraements, #TellHisStory #Recharge Wednesday, #Grace&Truth,
SO relevant to what we are experiencing today! Perfect post for this time. Thank you, Debbie.
Ann, I’m always amazed at out relevant the Scriptures are to what I’m dealing with. Blessings to you!
Love your point that God uses even the evil intent of men. It’s easy to forget sometimes that God is sovereign when we look around at all the injustice, but His plan is still being fulfilled. I also love what you said about righteous indignation. David’s words about Goliath’s nerve to taunt the armies of the Living God are some of my favorites (and one of the reasons David’s always been one of my favorites), but sometimes today I think we just get indignant and miss the righteous part.
Ashley, I’m often reminded of the verse in James that says the anger of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God. We should hate what God hates. But vengeance belongs to Him not us.
Very well said Ms. Debbie. Too many in this world today believe they can decide and determine what happens in this world. What they fail to realize is that they’re merely puppets who are being controlled by other, dark and demonic forces. Even Satan himself realizes he’s defeated and his sole remaining purpose is to steal the joy from and disrupt a Christian’s journey of sanctification through faith. Mankind has already been reconciled to God, if He chooses to accept the free gift of salvation Jesus Christ offers. Yes, we Christians are called to a righteous anger, but we must also remember that we are also human, and we will succumb to our sinful human nature now and again. The difference is that we don’t have to control that nature alone when we are in Christ. God’s blessings my gentle friend. And best to Mr. Larry.
Well said, J.D. I appreciate you and your thoughts.
There is evil in this world. We can rest assured God is with us during every encounter with evil. He is our guide and our protector. He leads us through the dark times and provides the way to light. I am thankful to be His child. Great message Debbie.
Me too, Melissa. Thanks so much!
David knew he had a covenant with God and that is what He stood on. We have a better covenant under grace than David had. Our enemies cannot stand against that. God’s people will be vindicated.
Barbara, I like that. “We have a better covenant under grace than David had.” Thank you!
Hi Debbie.
I love the way God turns things around when we least expect it–and when the Enemy least expects it, as well. It’s hard to remember at times. I’m so grateful we have the scripture to remind us that He is sovereign.
Blessings,
Tammy
I like that Tammy. “When we least expect it–and when the Enemy least expects it.” Come Lord Jesus!
Yes, I find myself thinking these days, “Even in this…” God is not caught off guard by humanity ‘s unrighteousness.
Michele, I confess I have to summon that thought. It doesn’t come naturally!
The gates of hell will not prevail.
Amen! Thank you, Nancy.
Debbie, these examples of how God routed Israel’s enemies are great reminders that He is on the throne, even today. I appreciate the reminder to stand strong in the truths of the Lord and to pray diligently and intentionally. Sometimes, I become discouraged by all the evil I see around me. I need to take my eyes off that and fix them on the Lord.
Jeanne, there is a lot to discourage us. I’m thankful God has also provided solid encouragement.
Wonderful message, Debbie. I am especially struck by your emphasis on God’s protective strategies, that He will use the enemy’s evil schemes to bring them down. A great reminder that God always has the plan to care for us–we just need to trust Him with it. Thank you for sharing this powerful message.
Thank you, Katherine. Yes, I need to trust Him. He is at work even when I can’t see His hand.