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Alan Fong
3 min read
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Alan Fong
3 min read
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Alan Fong
3 min read
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. ~Psalm 118:11-12
Have you ever been attacked by a swarm of bees? I read in Scientific American about two hikers who happened upon a bee nest. In doing so, the bees perceived them as a threat and started coming towards them. One hiker quickly made it down a trail and came to a restroom where she found cover and safety. The other hiker was not so fortunate and wound up being stung by thousands of bees and eventually succumbing to the chemicals released from the many bee stings. The psalmist was in a battle with different warring nations. He may have been in a situation where he was outnumbered. He compared his plight to being compassed about with bees. He had seen bee attacks before, and he knew how deadly they turn out to be. This morning, we see how to survive a bee attack.
The psalmist declared that the source of his victory was in the name of the Lord. He could not overcome the various enemies by his power, his military strength, his political connections, or by financial might. He overcame the odds that were against him in the name of the Lord. The Lord’s name is a name above all names. His name is an exalted name. It is a name at which every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess Jesus Christ is Lord. "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." When we ask in Jesus' name in prayer, we have the Father ready to answer us. Our authority is in the only name whereby men must be saved. Lift up the name of the Lord!
“I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” The psalmist placed his entire dependence and trust in the Lord for his safety and deliverance. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God,” (Psalm 20:7). When in doubt, trust in the Lord. When the report is adverse, trust in the Lord. When things are going south, trust in the Lord. When the pressures are mounting, trust in the Lord. The psalmist found all the help he needed against his foes by trusting completely in God.
The enemy was soundly defeated. He said they were quenched as the fire of thorns. He speaks of destroying them in the name of the Lord. The enemy was overthrown. Let God fight your battles. Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. God will always do a better job of overthrowing any enemy than you can.
“The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.” No one was more elated at this victory than the psalmist. This victory moved him to worship and adore the Lord for His help, safety, deliverance, love, and preservation. He went on to say, “This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
Bee attacks can be deadly, but bee attacks can be overcome. Let God fight your battles. Trust in Him at all times, ye people: pour out your hearts before him. You can win the battle, but only in the name of the Lord.
Bible Reading Schedule: Genesis 38-40
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