“From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger” (Psalm 8:2).

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After completing a college editing class, I stumbled upon this verse. I became intrigued with its sentence structure. Just how does praise work to silence the enemy?

I asked God for some insight. You see, for much of my Christian life, I have held the belief that as long as I stay close to Jesus, the enemy won’t come near me. But when the enemy prevailed, I would wonder what is wrong with my faith. I figure that I must not have enough it.

Perhaps my understanding has been in error as this verse speaks liberating truth.

God’s Word reminds me that the enemy harassed Jesus, but Jesus kept his eyes fixed on the Father. This is what silenced the enemy. It didn’t make the enemy go away, it dissolved the enemy’s power to take Him down.

So often in my life, when the enemy has attacked through circumstances, the critical words of others, the intended or unintended harm others have caused, my eyes had become fixed on the evil that the enemy was doing. I would complain about the unfairness and the cruelty, and it would lead me into a tail-spin of despair.

Well, evil is evil. That’s what evil does best. So why should I expect anything else?

Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

He also said, “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20).

So, in the midst of an attack, whether through circumstances or people, I need to remember to keep my eyes fixed on the author of life, love, peace, and joy. And remember that He has overcome the world, and it is His presence in the midst of it which silences the enemy.