Enemies

 Happy Sunday!

"Tell them, “As I live,” says the Eternal Lord, “I don’t enjoy watching the wicked die; I want the wicked to stop doing what they’re doing and live! Repent! Turn from your wicked ways. Why would you choose to die instead of live, people of Israel?” (Voice). 

Sometimes as Christians, we falsely believe that everything will be perfect and there will be no struggles.  This is a lie!  When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we simultaneously denounce the Devil and the old way of life. As we grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord we become more and more like Him.  Throughout the Bible, God instructed His people about how to deal with their enemies.   An enemy is defined as anyone that sets themselves as an opponent to your PROGRESS.  Don't miss this!  In Psalm 3:1, David said..."O Lord, so many are against me. So many seek to harm me. I have so many enemies."(Living Bible).  In Psalm 23:5 he also says, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."(KJV).   God did not move the psalmist away from his enemies.  He BLESSED him right in front of his enemies.  This is exactly what he intends to do for you!       

God doesn't hate your enemy!  He loves them, and he sent his son to die for them too!  BUT the Day of Vengeance has come...God intends for us to live far above the world and its limitations.  Anything or anyone standing in the way of our progress and prosperity is in grave danger.  You know the story of Daniel.  Daniel 6:3 says, "Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an EXCELLENT spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm."(KJV).   Then his enemies began to search for a way to accuse him of wrongdoing.  Of course, they found no reason to accuse him but decided to use his prayer life against him.  They encouraged the King to establish a law that no one could pray to anyone but the king for a period of time.  Daniel 6:10 says, "But though Daniel knew about it, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs bedroom, with its windows open toward Jerusalem, and prayed three times a day, just as he always had, giving thanks to his God."(Living Bible).  He was arrested and thrown in the lion's den.  God caused the lions mouths to be shut and Daniel survived.  But do you know what happened to his enemies and accusers?  Daniel 6:24 says, "Then the king issued a command to bring the men who had accused Daniel and throw them into the den along with their children and wives, and the lions leaped upon them and tore them apart before they even hit the bottom of the den."(Living Bible).  OUCH!  

Shift your thinking!  Trust that the Word of God is True, and Truth!  See your enemies in a positive light.  See them as an opportunity to be better!  You have no successful enemies!   Isaiah 54:17 says, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."(KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia