One of the ways the Old Testament King David worshiped God was by writing songs or poems. We can still read them today in the Bible’s book of Psalms. Many of these songs deal with themes of sorrow, loss, war, fear, frustration, betrayal, and grief. In his lifetime, King David had many enemies who had made it their life’s mission to destroy him. For example, in Psalm 35 he pleads with God to defend him against those who are hunting him down even though there is no justifiable reason.

In one of these moments, he asks God to “take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid” (Psalm 35:2).

I really like the visual of Jesus armoring up next to me. But as I read on, a funny thing happened. I felt a knot of tension start to form in my stomach with each following line as David goes into great detail about exactly how he wants God to destroy these people who are against him.

It got me thinking about enemies.

The world tends to put a lot of energy into trying to convince me that many people are my enemies. But the truth is that most times they are simply people who have a different perspective than me, people who are hurting and confused and wanting answers just as much as I do. I’m not in David’s position, thankfully. I don’t want to go to war with them, and I certainly don’t want to ask God to help me destroy them. Each and every one of them is someone Jesus died for.

Then I remembered a scene from a movie I watched about six or seven years ago. It showed an incredibly tense moment between the main character and a handful of others who had surrounded her, seeming like they were preparing to attack. She strung an arrow in her bow and pulled it back in defense. Just before she let the arrow fly, one of the men in the group surrounding her held his hand out and gently said her name followed by the appeal, “Remember who the real enemy is.”

As that memory surfaced, it almost felt like God had said it to me personally in my wrestling with Psalm 35. “Emily, remember who the real enemy is.”

It finally clicked. I do have enemies that I want completely decimated.

The devil.

My pride.

My selfishness.

My shame.

My impatience.

My desire for complete control.

My brokenness.

I went back and reread Psalm 35 with the real enemies in mind, and it was transformed instantly into the most powerful “rock anthem” I’d ever heard. It became a passionate, wholehearted battle cry from me to the greatest Warrior of all time.

I want you to make it your battle cry today too. Not against others but against the sin that so easily confuses and frustrates you. Shout these words in your heart or even out loud the next time you catch yourself feeling drawn into the real enemy’s trap. (I mean it. Stop worrying about feeling childish and pour all your frustration into these words.)

“Harass these hecklers, God,

    punch these bullies in the nose.

Grab a weapon, anything at hand;

    stand up for me!

Get ready to throw the spear, aim the javelin,

    at the people who are out to get me.

Reassure me; let me hear you say,

    “I’ll save you.”

(Psalm 35:1-3 MSG)

Jesus is with you in this battle.

He will help you see and defeat the real enemies threatening to destroy you.

Now share this message of hope and victory with someone who needs a battle cry today.