Psalms 83:1-18
At the time of the great tribulation, the coalition of nations enumerated in vv. 6-8 will take counsel together to blot out the name of Israel from the earth (Isaiah 10:24). Among them Assyria (Assur), the king of the north, will occupy a leading place. Faced with this threat of extermination, the most terrible that this suffering people have ever known, the faithful of the remnant will turn to God. Their enemies are His enemies too (v. 2); this confederacy has been formed against Him (v. 5). And, on the other hand, believers have the inward assurance of belonging to Him. They are His "hidden ones" (v. 3), like the seven thousand men in the time of Ahab who, in spite of the persecution, had not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). Yes, God cannot fail to intervene, since all these people in their blind folly will be found making war against Him (v. 5; cf. Psalms 2:2; Revelation 19:19). The faithful refer to past deliverances, to the red letter days in the history of Israel (v. 9; Judges 4:15; ch. 7 and 8).
We Christians will not have to go through these terrible times. Should we have any less patience and confidence? The only effect the opposition of the world should have on us is to make us seek the Lord’s mercy and help.