Post by Michael James Stone on Jul 16, 2012 13:42:48 GMT -8
In the Presence of our Enemies
Tuesday, March 16th, 2004
A devoted Saint of God has nothing to fear from his enemies. Our enemies are helpless unless we help them by allowing them to affect us. The Holy Scripture is filled with absolute proof of our God’s commitment to defend and even bless us just to avenge us in our enemies’ presence. I have learned to feel compassion and even sorrow for my enemies; for as an uncompromising pastor, I have had plenty of experience.
The theme of the Book of Psalms is Chapter Twenty-three. In this classic jewel is one powerful verse concerning this subject. Our God acted in David’s defense and David testified, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." (Psalm 23:5) Actually enemies are a blessing to the righteous because they move our God to stand up on our side. He delights in doing just that.
One of the very reasons that righteous people are so blessed is because our Father is "angry with the wicked every day." (Psalm 7:11) When they concoct these devilish schemes, lift up your head, do not make one effort to defend yourself; and then wait on your God. Think and speak no evil of them. Spend maximum time seeking God for them, praying in the Spirit and allowing love to abound. If you are totally His, He is in charge.
Jesus took up this theme in His Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12).
The word "Blessed" means "to be envied, fortunate, well-off and prosperous." Watch the persecuted church or saints as God lifts them up and showers His presence in their midst. You have never seen anything more beautiful than God’s table spread before His reviled saints, both in this world, and especially in the world to come.
King David was called by Scripture "a man after God’s own Heart" (Acts 13:22). Most people who claim they are persecuted are seeking sympathy. Often what goes for persecution is the fault and attitude of the person. When we suffer for our own actions and attitude there is no glory or reward. With the Psalmist David, He was hated because of the abundant blessings of God, the wonderful words of wisdom that issued from His writings and the glory of His kingdom.
Because of David’s experiences in persecution, he was used by the Spirit of God to speak to us when we are reviled and attacked. Listen to his great revelation, "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." (Psalm 37:1-4)
Learn to live by those four versus of inspiration, when "evil doers" perform their dirty work. When a saint of God turns their enemy over to the Lord, that person is in serious trouble. You delight yourself in the Lord, and do not rejoice when that enemy is judged, or God will turn the judgment back.
Every "blood washed" and "sanctified" saint of God is His joy. Our Heavenly Father watches over you to protect and to satisfy your life with His favour. Remember this is not home; we are pilgrims, looking for a city, whose builder and maker is God.