01092022 Outlasts

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our powerful God. Aren’t you glad that nothing is able to defeat Him and that no one can conquer Him?

Enemies certainly exist. David talks about his enemies in Psalm 9. (He also uses the terms “heathen,” “wicked,” and “nations” in referring to these enemies.)

The enemies are real, and the attacks are real. We might refer to these attacks as difficulties, challenges, trials, persecutions, hard times, and more. It is not easy to go through such times. It is not easy to be oppressed by enemies.

However, much of what David shares about his enemies is about their destruction, their fall, and their defeat. In v. 3, they are “turned back” and “they shall fall and perish.” In v. 4, God protects what is right and judges righteously. In v. 5, God rebukes and destroys the enemies and puts out their name forever. In v. 6, the destructions come to a decisive end. The final line of v. 6 tells how thoroughly the enemies are conquered: “Their memorial is perished with them.”

The enemies are decisively defeated. Their plans are thwarted. Their activities are brought to a close, and it gets to the point that even their heritage is gone. They are completely forgotten.

Verse 7 then provides a wonderful contrast. While the wicked are headed for definite destruction and an end from which there is no recovery, there is on the other hand the future of God. “But the LORD shall endure for ever.”

Trials are temporary. God is eternal. Enemies are conquerable. God is the conqueror. Opposition comes and goes, but God always endures.

The remaining verses of the psalm tell some encouraging truths about this eternal God – the one who will outlast every enemy and who will remain standing when all opposition has fallen. God is a righteous judge (v. 8). God is a refuge (v. 9). God is worthy of trust and does not forsake those who follow Him (v. 10). God remembers His people (v. 12).

So it is true that for seasons of time in this life we face enemies. But it is also true that God is stronger than every one of them. As each trial comes and goes in turn, God is constant. God remains after each time of conflict. God is the last one standing. He outlasts every foe. And it isn’t just a matter of God’s surviving each challenge; God continually conquers, defeats, represses, and obliterates in powerful and decisive victories.

The trial that you face today is temporary. Wait on the LORD. He will outlast this trial and will be a refuge for you and will bring you out on the other side when He has conquered it.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA