“My enemies speak maliciously about me: “When will he die and be forgotten?” When one of them comes to visit, he speaks deceitfully; he stores up evil in his heart; he goes out and talks. All who hate me whisper together about me; they plan to harm me. “Something awful has overwhelmed him, and he won’t rise again from where he lies!” Even my friend in whom I trusted, one who ate my bread, has raised his heel against me.” (Psalm 41:5–9, CSB)
David knew the sting of verbal attacks that happen behind our backs! He understood that even so-called friends can whisper and attempt to derail our work for God! Notice their strategies which he outlines …
- Saying the worst about us (5)
- Speaking insincerely about us (6)
- Gathering falsehoods while with us (7)
- Spreading bad reports about us (7)
- Imagining the worst about us (8)
So, how do we combat these attacks? What do we do when we feel the knives of the whisperer in our backs? Listen to David’s next steps in prayer …
“But you, Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up; then I will repay them. By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy does not shout in triumph over me. You supported me because of my integrity and set me in your presence forever. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and amen.” (Psalm 41:10–13, CSB)
David chooses to ask God to …
- Have pity on him (10)
- Put him back on his feet so he could pay them back (10)
- Show him God is pleased with him by not allowing his enemies to defeat him (11)
- Uphold him because of his innocence (12)
- Establish him in God’s presence forever (12)
- Bless God with praise (13)
How will you handle your enemies who whisper about you? Will you be like David? Will you hand the job of dealing with them over the the Almighty, All-Creative One?
That’s the only way to win!
