If so, you’re in good company. King David felt the effects of it too. I haven’t found a ton of scriptures that talk about the spirit of slumber, so I try to give careful attention to the ones that do. This morning, I was paying special attention to the context of the main chapter that talks about this spirit. I’ve been a little baffled by Romans 11:9-10: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs bent forever.” (Romans 11:9-10)
To be honest, this verse, written by King David, has baffled me. Why is it included in a passage talking about the spirit of slumber?
Romans 11:9-10 is a quote from Psalm 69. Scripture makes a connection between these two passages. Psalm 69 gives us a picture of what it might look like to have an encounter with the spirit of slumber.
Let’s first take a look at what was going on in David’s life. The Psalm starts out with, “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out…”
I found it interesting that there were multiple similarities between my own encounter with the spirit of slumber and David’s. If you’re discerning the presence of this spirit, maybe you’ll recognize some of the same:
- David was weary. He had endured much, and now he was exhausted. (Ps 69:3)
- David felt shame. It was written all over his face. Scorn and shame had broken his heart. (Ps 69:20)
- He felt insulted and humiliated for the sake of Christ. David was passionate about his relationship with God. When he fasted and prayed, he was criticized for it. Zeal for God’s house consumed him, and his enemies mocked him for it. Elders, siblings and drunkards betrayed him. (Ps 69:7,9,12)
- He felt a heaviness that literally made him physically sick (Ps 69:20)
- He felt distant from God. He felt like his cries for help had gone unanswered. (Ps 69:3)
- David was in deep pain; physically, spiritually and emotionally. (Ps 69:3,19,29)
- When David looked for a little comfort and sympathy, he felt unhelped. (Ps 69:20)
In the midst of all this, David foreshadows Jesus’ suffering on the cross when he says,
“They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. May the table set before them become a snare and a trap. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. May their place be deserted; let there be one one to dwell in their tents. For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.” (Psalm 69:21-28. See also Matt. 27:34,48)
David appeals to God for justice. He doesn’t take it upon himself to take vengeance. He was asking God to turn the very things that he was experiencing onto his enemies instead. The Zondervan NIV study Bible puts it this way,
“They had set his {David’s} table with “gall” and “vinegar…” vivid metaphors for the bitter scorn they made him eat and drink when his whole being craved the nourishment and refreshment of comfort…they mocked him for his “wound” (v.26); now may they experience the same failing of the eyes…and bending of the back (from weakness and pain…May…their backs be bent. Lit. “May…their loins give way.” Zondervan goes on to explain that loins were viewed as the back’s center of strength.
Maybe you’re feeling some of what King David experienced. Have you endured much for God’s kingdom, and now feel weary and exhausted? Is shame knocking at the door of your heart, bidding you to trust in your own righteousness rather than the cross? Does your heart feel like it’s been broken? Do you feel abandoned by those who you thought you could trust? (If trust in God, trust in others and trust in self converges, it’s a perfect storm. This calls for a season of rebuilding in God’s ICU)
We can learn a lot from King David when the spirit of slumber comes against us to steal our spiritual strength and vision. He cried out to God in the midst of his pain. He went boldly into the throne room of God and “tattled” on his enemies. He basically said, “Look at what they’re doing to me!” “Save me!” “Give me justice!” He went on to make bold declarations of the future:
“Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.” (Ps 69:34-36)
If you feel weary and tempted to quit or run away, cry out to God. For, “He give strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isa 40:29) He will renew your strength so that you can do all He calls you to do.
Beloved, if you’re feeling intimidated by the enemy through shame, you don’t have to yield to it! Run to the mercy seat, where no condemnation can touch you. You don’t have to earn God’s help or strength. You are His child, and He longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. (Isa 30:18) You serve the God Almighty. His strength is limitless. He is the vine, and we are the branches. As we abide in Him, His strength runs through our veins. How do we abide in His presence? We do this when we soak in His word, just letting it refresh us when we’re weary. We also do it when we turn our eyes onto God through worship. You have all you need to overcome!
May the joy of the LORD be your strength,
Arlene
Walk Whole 