We all have Enemies

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 59:16

We all have enemies but we don’t all have to fear our enemies because there’s another place to turn.

Because of sin, everyone will have enemies. Often we think of enemies in another country wanting to go to war against a nation, but individually we can have enemies right next-door. Anyone who thinks maliciously of us is our enemy and as much as I don’t want to think someone thinks that way of me, I know I’m wrong.

I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!

Psalm 59:4

King Saul was jealous of David. He was jealous that the people loved David, that his son loved David, that his daughter loved David, and this jealousy made king Saul despise David. What started as a good relationship, a healthy relationship, David calming Saul with a harp, David defeating Goliath, became a fearful relationship with Saul trying with all of his might to kill David.

David became Sauls enemy when jealousy entered Sauls heart. And jealousy, it’s a killer.

We have to remember that our enemy is just a clay pot like you and I. It is sin poured in that breaks cracks in the clay making our enemy despise us. Yet when Jesus fills each crack of the earthen pot, darkness and sin pours out and light shines through the cracks to become a beacon of light for all to see.

David was doing only what God had called him to do, but Satan Doesn’t like to see us doing the will of God. Satan uses our sin nature to try and turn us from our God. But when we stay faithful to God on the path he has called us, he can turn our enemy away from us.

So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth.

1 Samuel 19:23

None of Saul’s men could reach David because God continued to protect him, so Saul took it in his own hands to find and kill David. But God, he is our fortress and our refuge in times of trouble. He came over Saul and turned him away from attacking David as well.

Our enemies may never turn from being our enemies, but God can turn them away from harming us.

As much as I’d love to have everyone love me, be my true friend, not speak ill of me, I can’t change their heart. And in all actuality it is Satan who doesn’t want us to love one another because love is from God because God is love.

So sin stands in the way of peace.

I don’t know about you, maybe you can handle the words and actions of others better than I can, maybe you are stronger than I am, But when people dislike me, talk about me, try to harm me, it hurts me.

Yet as long as I continue to walk with God, continue to allow him to mold and make me into who he wants me to be, he protects me from my enemies attacks.

God has the ability to change their direction, and as I pray for my enemy, he also has the ability to change their heart.

Yes, as hard as it is to think, we all have enemies, and some may be closer than we even realize, our true enemy isn’t the person but the sin in the person caused by Satan in the world. He is the one that wants us against God and if he can do it through an enemy he will.

So, when you see your enemy, when you feel the arrows of their heart hurting you, remember they can’t harm you as long as you stay close to God. And if you want to see even greater change, begin to pray for your enemy, and trust that even God has the ability to change their heart.

Don’t allow your enemies sin to compromise your heart for the Lord. He is your rock and your fortress, your ever present refuge in times of trouble.