My Hidden Enemy
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Exodus 25-26 and Psalm 69 (NIV)
(Lee Sock Kuan, CiC Facilitator)
READ:
Psalm 69
As I meditated on Psalm 69, I was struck by the urgency and intensity of the emotions expressed, especially in the first four verses. It painted a vivid image of David’s distress and trouble with “enemies” who sought to destroy him.
OBSERVE:
Despite the vivid emotions, I found myself reading Psalm 69 like an aloof spectator observing David’s struggles as I could not relate to his situation. I could not think of anyone I had such problems with that they would hate me without reason or that they would be hunting me down to destroy me. Maybe I have not endeared myself to some people but this hate is on a whole new, unfamiliar level.
As I asked God to show me the relevance of this Psalm to me, it slowly dawned on me that I might be looking at this wrongly. The enemies I face might not be people I encounter but a hidden Enemy. This Enemy lurks in the shadows: of my pride, my blind spots and my shame. Some days, the Enemy convinces me that there are parts of Scripture that are irrelevant to me. Other days, the Enemy beats my spirit down when I am reminded of my failings and shame. Not to mention the days when I am caught up in the weary grind of daily worries, believing that they might just be too trivial for God to care.
With this new perspective, I re-read the Psalm with new eyes. The awareness of my brokenness intensified my joy and gratitude which mirrored David’s in the final few verses.
APPLY:
I want to cultivate greater sensitivity to the hidden Enemy so that it will have less opportunities to lurk in the shadows of my mind.
DO:
- Be discipline to read His word daily
- Continue to practice the spiritual discipline of daily sacred pauses
- Continue to be engaged intentionally and authentically with my spiritual community so that I can keep a good account of myself
PRAY:
Dear Lord, you know the depths of my heart and mind, far more than I know myself. Search and reveal to me what I need to know so that I can learn and grow from it. Though the process might be unpleasant or uncomfortable, thank you for being a patient, gentle, compassionate and loving Father. Give me the courage to face the Enemy within. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
