Adversaries' Will

Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries.

The will of any adversary is to harm you in any and every way. One of the descriptions given earlier, about who an adversary is, is that the adversary is a natural enemy. By natural, I mean one who is an enemy, just by being. For example, the altogether trustworthy Word of God tells us that flesh and Spirit war against each other. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other. Galatians 5: 17a. NIV.

Additionally, the infallible, most reliable Word assures us that the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8: 7 - 8. It is clear that the world and God, or the flesh and the Spirit, war against each other by their very opposite and never to meet or agree, natures. They are in perpetual conflict. It means that the will of any adversary is not the will of God, so there is great wickedness and harm planned for you.

David knows this and in his pleading prayer, asks God not to deliver him to his adversaries. This prayer is classically different in approach, from the one found in Psalm 7, for example, where he is still praying about his adversaries. Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. Psalm 7: 9. Observe, David is praying for God’s direct, punitive hand on the wickedness of the enemy. He wants God to deal directly with his adversaries. Has he not given all power and Lordship to his God? His God is Supreme, Sovereign Ruler over all, more powerful than his adversaries, individually and collectively. David knows, without question, that God can put an end to the evil plans of the enemy. He gives all authority, all glory and all victory to God.

In this present prayer however, as our text indicates, David is asking God to deal with him, not the adversary. He earnestly prays for God to deliver him from the will of the wicked enemies. Interestingly, in both prayers, we can testify to David’s consistent, ever-functioning faith in his God. He gives all power, all honour, all might and all merit to God and God alone. Not one ounce of might or assistance, is attributed to any works or strategies of his adversaries, or their subjects, to keep him from enduring the wicked will of his adversaries. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries.

David knows that the only way for enemies to get him, is if God so wills it. He has given all authority to God and lets God know it openly, as he asks God not to deliver him to those evil, wicked people. Listening to David, we take special note and give particular interest to the way he consistently and unwaveringly gives all power, rule and control to God, never to the adversary. 

Don’t you see Jesus in a similar situation? Pilate, full of earthly power, authority and rule, spoke to Jesus most authoritatively and said this. Are you not speaking to me? Do you not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You? Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. John 19: 10b – 11a. Jesus, the totally human God, was not afraid to openly hold high the Sovereign Rule, Power and Authority of God. Jesus, in the midst of this most life and death moment, firmly, categorically and unwaveringly gives all power over His life, to His Father in heaven. Jesus gives all power, authority and permission to God and God alone. 

Our Lord had adversaries in abundance, who had no goodwill toward Him. If you are His disciples, His friends, people in whom His Spirit lives and moves and has being, then you also have adversaries. No servant is above his or her Master. He had enemies and so will you. Are you in any form or way, feeling the pressure of an adversary against you? Acknowledge the Supremacy and Sovereign Power of Father God.

Keep constant in prayer, asking Him not to deliver you up to the will of the adversaries.