David wrote Psalm 70. It’s five verses and makes me think of different types of conflict.

Verse 1

Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
    O Lord, make haste to help me!

David wants rescue.

Verse 2

Let them be put to shame and confusion
    who seek my life!
Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor
    who delight in my hurt!

He wants redirection of his enemies.

Verse 3

Let them turn back because of their shame
    who say, “Aha, Aha!”

He wants relief.

Verse 4

May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”

David wants reward for seeking God.

Verse 5

But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!

David doesn’t want to fight his enemies. He wants to fight for God.

When many humans get into conflict, the instinct is to battle. Consider an extreme example - an arrogant athlete. Someone talks trash to them and they get angry, replying, “Nobody can stop me - not you, not nobody! I’m the truth. Ain’t no one better. Not now, not ever. GET A LIFE! I’M THE BEST!”

I feel keyed up just reading it back.

Consider a more mild person encouraging themselves in conflict: “I’m strong. I can do anything. I’m important. I’m able. I’m powerful.”

Now consider David in verse 5: “I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!”

Psalm 121:2 - My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Do we sometimes enter into so many conflicts and strife with humans on the horizontal level partly because our vertical fight to be like God is lacking?

In the spiritual realm, we can ask God to turn back the evil that comes against us. We can ask him to turn away the source of the mean voice we hear that says, “Aha! Aha! You’re a fraud and a loser. You’re an idiot and ugly and annoying.”

O Father, help me see just how poor and needy I really am! And how much of a rescuer you can be! May we see you, be so happy in what we see, and overflow in genuine thanks and praise.

Jess Ray - Humble Heart I want a humble heart I want to walk in love Oh, how I have so much to learn Cause pride, it isn’t worth it It makes me lonely, leaves me stranded But I never wanted to be alone Would you [God] come and dine with me?