“Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. For I hear the whispering of many— terror on every side!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.” -Psalm 31:11–13
Because of David’s enemies, he was reproached, rejected, and forgotten by his neighbors and acquaintances. Like a leper, people avoided him; and like dead man, he was absent from all their thoughts. Everywhere he turned, he heard the whisperings and murmurings of those who plotted against him. Like the prophet Jeremiah would one day, David literally faced terror on every side. It’s even likely Jeremiah borrowed this idiom—terror on every side—from David’s Psalm and made it his motto (Jeremiah 6:25; 20:3, 10; 46:5; 49:29; cf. Lamentations 2:22).
As we in the 21st century watch the culture around us crumble, perhaps there are some who rightfully feel an affinity with David and Jeremiah. Be of good courage. You’re in good company.
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” -2 Timothy 3:12
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” -Romans 8:18
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” -2 Corinthians 4:17