Enemies
I have tried my best to avoid having enemies. I do remember the first time I was personally attacked by someone whom I thought was a supporter of mine when I was first in youth ministry. It became obvious later that I was being attacked because of the position I held, rather than against me personally. It is common for people to attack the person in charge because they disagree with his/her position as leader. I’ve heard people I know, and love talk about how they can’t stand this president or that president and they can’t possibly know them personally. They are frustrated with a policy or position rather than loving or hating the person making the policy or decision.
Deborah was a judge in Israel not super long after Joshua’s death. She encouraged and inspired Israel to remember all that the Lord had done for them. She sang a song about all the Lord had done. She even mentioned how He had helped Israel push back Sisera who commanded an army that sought to destroy Israel. As the Lord fought for Israel, Sisera escaped to the tent of Herber & Jael. Jael pretended to help him but killed him in his sleep. Jael becamed known for her courage and strength. I’m assuming her husband was off in battle fighting and protecting them when the opportunity presented itself. Check this out….
31 “Lord, may all your enemies die like Sisera!
But may those who love you rise like the sun in all its power!”
Then there was peace in the land for forty years. (Judges 5:31 NLT)
The enemies of the Lord need to be my enemies too. I want to consistently stay in pursuit of the Lord’s heart. I believe that if I pursue the heart of God, it will become obvious who His enemies are. I must be careful to notice people who sometimes pose as a friend of God, when they are really consumed with themselves. People who are consumed with themselves are NOT a friend of God. They are under the control of the enemy of God.
I will continue to do my best to live in peace with everyone. I will still live and work with conviction in my heart. I will still pursue truth and honor. I will probably frustrate others in the process of living and leading in this way. At the end of the day, I want to be a devoted follower of Jesus who honors Him with how I live, work, and lead. I want be known as a follower of the Lord first.
Pressing On!
Dwayne