We have many of poems/songs/psalms in the books of the Psalms written by David. In these writings, David was often brutal in his language, asking God to destroy his enemies. I do not know them all by heart, so I could be wrong, but I believe at the end of these requests he basically tells God, “But not my will, yours.”
Recently I was having a conversation with some blogging-buddies. I posed a question about why we pray for the safety of American Soldiers, but do not pray for the safety of Muslim Terrorists. Someone responded saying that David prayed that God would smash the teeth of his enemies, and so he will pray that God will smash the teeth of terrorists.
This led to a chain of questions that I am asking now: Should we pray that God smash the teeth of our enemies? Are Muslims Terrorist our enemies? Was David wrong for asking God to destroy his enemies? Did David know this and thus redeem himself by telling God “not my will, yours”?
Depending on how you answer these questions could lead you into some muddy waters. For instance, if David was wrong to ask God to do such a thing, then we have to ask. Are those parts of the Bible examples we should follow? Are those parts inspired by the Holy Spirit? Is David an example of someone we should follow? And the list could probably go on.
So, what are you immediate thoughts on these issues?
(by the way, I have already answered these questions in my own mind, but I want to hear what others have to say about it)