We Will Have Enemies

Psalm 23:5 – You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. 

Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon that has been made to be used against you will succeed. You will have an answer for anyone who accuses you. This is the inheritance of the Lord’s servants. Their victory comes from me, declares the Lord. 

Herein lies an uncomfortable truth. We will have enemies. No matter how well you live there will be those who hate you especially as a Christian. And they would even try to use your beliefs as “weapons” to get you to do wrong or give in to their demands. But we are to remain grounded in Christ: not withering or perishing. But the part that really made me pause and request that I still adjust my mindset: the banquet will be set before your enemies. We don’t make enemies of them, they make enemies of us. But Yahweh will prosper you in front of your enemies. They would wonder why nothing they toss does not stick. But as a Christian we now have to sit and enjoy, while the enemy watches. No hiding to save face, no pretending that they don’t exist. It doesn’t mean that you hate them or wish them ill. You will still do what you are called to do to help them. But enjoy the banquet that Yahweh prepared for you with no thought as to how it would “look.” They chose to make themselves your enemy, that wasn’t your choice and every man has a choice of how they live their life.

Yahweh, I pray that the heart of PC be turned to you, but I also pray that we remain anchored in you. That we would not hide any blessings that you provide. Your promises are yes and amen and I will keep my heart fixed on you. 

You know it still catches me by surprise that I’m happy. That I’m not plagued with anxiety or fear. Is life perfect? Not at all. Is my partner in my life by my side? Nope. Is the house built? Nada. Are the debts paid off? Nope. But I am happy. There’s a joy inside that I can’t hide and I won’t try to. And that’s Yahweh. So yes there are still things in the process and I still have far to go. I know there will be days that this joy seems elusive, but on those days I will still trust. I will still keep my faith in Yahweh, because he will not let me go. I pray for dad. That in his grey years, he would be at peace (not the peace of death ehhh), but the peace of a life lived to the best that he knew how and that he would be comforted no matter what comes his way.