Is God surprised when someone secretly plots against us? Can God use these evil things to His glory? Is He able to deal with these things? Maybe we've all asked these questions when we've found out someone is, or was, secretly plotting against us. God is still on the throne. He will deal with these people and this situation. He will use it for His glory.
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation;
Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
From the rebellion of the workers of iniquity,
3 Who sharpen their tongue like a sword,
And bend their bows to shoot their arrows-bitter words,
4 That they may shoot in secret at the blameless;
Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear.
David's meditation was on how to deal with these wicked people. This is likely written by David while he was still in Saul's court. He knew that Saul wanted him dead and that most of Saul's court simply wanted to keep Saul happy. David asked God to preserve him from fear. This fear was as dangerous to David as an actual assault with a weapon. Fear can cause a man to make poor decisions, or it can cause indecision. Warren Wiersbe said that fear of God mobilizes while fear of man paralyzes. This secret plot among the wicked was a rebellion. Yet, the news must have been out for David to know. It was terrorism now, striking fear in those around him. David wanted to be protected from that fear. These men were spreading lies and their words were as destructive as a sword. They silent words whispered are compared to the quiet launch of an arrow upon the blameless.
Sometimes we feel we must speak up and argue, defend ourselves against the evil ones speaking against us. Yet the more we try, the worse it gets. The problem is we are bound by truth and logic, love and grace. The wicked have no such boundaries. Therefore we find ourselves defenseless against those who have no problem telling lies or spreading deceit. But the Lord sees this. The Lord defends us and will silence them in His time. Our defense is in the Lord.
5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter;
They talk of laying snares secretly;
They say, "Who will see them?"
6 They devise iniquities:
"We have perfected a shrewd scheme."
Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep.
These evil men encourage one another. One man lies and the other swears to it. In their talking and whispering, they formulate a plan. They ask, who will see their traps. It is obvious to us, the Lord will see them. These wicked men mock God with their question. The perceived wisdom of the wicked is folly. Their scheme they think is so perfect was born in their evil heart and God knew of it before they did. These men are characterized by their evil actions that are derived from the dark heart and evil mind.
7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow;
Suddenly they shall be wounded.
8 So He will make them stumble over their own tongue;
All who see them shall flee away.
These men will be surprised. God's arrow will be launched at them. While they plan and skulk around in the dark thinking no one knows about them, God is watching them. They will be wounded without warning. They won't know what hit them or how it came about. Their words cause them to stumble. Their own lies and deceit will be their downfall. They will be found out and people will separate themselves from them. Suddenly, they will be alone with no one to listen to their tales.
9 All men shall fear,
And shall declare the work of God;
For they shall wisely consider His doing.
10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and trust in Him.
And all the upright in heart shall glory.
Men should fear and revere God and know that He is working in this world. His plans won't be changed by evil men. Every man should consider his ways and make sure he is working and living in the will of the Lord. As those saved by Grace, we can have faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We can know that God will deal with these wagging tongues of evil. We can trust in Him and give Him all the glory.
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