Asaph’s prayer for God to make Israel’s foes like tumbleweeds is in Psalm 83.
Psalm 83 takes the same form as several other psalms. First the present situation is defined (verses 1-4). Second, the Lord is reminded how he gave victory to the Israelites in the past (verses 5-12). Finally, a specific request for help is outlined (verses 13-18).
Most often the Bible tumbleweed is identified as the Gundelia tournefortii sometimes called a tumble thistle. Because the tumbleweed is round, it rolls like a ball when driven by the wind. Seeds of dead fruits are dispersed by the rolling plant.
Symbolism: Action, Act
Action is the process of doing something in order to achieve a purpose. Synonyms are: accomplish, battle, and prosecute.
Asaph’s motivation for asking God to act on behalf of the Israelites wasn’t only for the security of Israel, but for worldwide acknowledgment of God.
Christians cannot use Psalm 83 against national enemies because Christianity is broader than national boundaries. Christians are the world-wide fellowship of believers. One Christian shouldn’t pray for the downfall of another. Christians can pray Psalm 83 against foes who act to destroy all traces of their faith They can ask God to defeat these plans in a way that persecutors seek and know God and accept Christ as Savior.
When we accept Christ as our Savior, God promises to accept us as his children. That promise requires God to act on our behalves; however, God’s action isn’t always according to our timetable. Sometimes we want God, “to do something NOW!” A number of years ago, I was part of a large congregation attempting to buy our church property from the diocese. The diocese kept pushing the time back for final notification and sale closing. Church members became more anxious every day, then every hour. Quietly, our minister reminded us, “God is rarely early, but He is never late.”
Updated February, 2023
Life's Odyssey 
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