Break Their Teeth!

Whenever I read through the Bible growing up, I would always come across passages (specifically Old Testament in nature) where some person (David, Nehemiah, Solomon, etc.) would implore God to smite his enemies. I found these to be of little use to me (as one without enemies, of course), and, frankly, a little to violent for my taste: I.E.: David: "Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked." - Ps 3:7 Really, David? Their teeth?! They didn't even have orthodontic surgeons back in the day. Serious smite, right?! I was so glad I didn't have these armies of enemies chillin' at my gates! Hehe. Wrong, again. I grew up believing I was worthless, that I had to earn love through actions, and that I needed the approval of my parents and my peers for everything I did. As I believed these lies, I acted accordingly, striving for every last bit of love I could find on earth. Oh, my gates were rampant with enemies! Enemies called unworthiness, conditional love, approval, rejection, depression, and criticism. And I needed their jaws smashed and some teeth broken! As luck would have it, I know a guy in the business. "You divided the sea before them, so that they went through its midst on dry land; their persecutors You threw into the depths, as a stone into mighty waters." - Nehemiah 9:11 The passages I once skimmed over have now become the words on which I stand. "Show Your marvelous loving-kindness, O You Who save by Your right hand those who trust and take refuge in You from those who rise up against them. Keep and guard me as the pupil of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who despoil and oppress me, my deadly adversaries who surround me." - Ps 17:7-9 Daddy, Thank you for your protection and power. I am so grateful that I am called "daughter" by a loving guardian who will cast my enemies like stones into mighty waters!! Thank you that we can stand on your Word and help us to remember that you are the same God who carried the Israelites from Egypt, and the same who heard David's songs so many years ago. You are a mighty comforter and protector. Thank you for sending us your strength in the form of Holy Spirit, who gives us the wisdom to recognize our enemies and the power to smash them! In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen