THE EVER-PRESENT ENEMY

There are some who fear that paranoia would have the upper hand if we speak about “the enemy” too often! Hence, they choose to ignore this subject whenever it comes up. But how does brushing aside the enemy solve anything? Would we not be denying reality itself?

How does one deal with this problem adequately? How does one cope with the problem of the ever-present enemy without allowing fear to conquer us? Let us learn deep lessons from one who had had to face very real enemies all the time!

“Consider my enemies for they are many;
and they hate me with real hatred.”
Psalm 25:19

1. “Consider my enemies”

a) Real or imaginary enemies?

Was David paranoid? Were his enemies real or imaginary? Though this psalm did not allow room to name the enemies, David must have brought the names of his enemies before the Lord in prayer!

What a challenge it is to us to bring before the Lord the names of “our enemies.” The very act of naming our enemies is a very sobering exercise! The act of going through their names would cause us to think and re-think our ideas about who are real enemies! If our enemies are only imaginary ones, then we have nothing to fear at all. But if they are real, then it is wise and good that we brought this matter to the Lord in prayer!

b) “They are many”

David was concerned about the number of his enemies! He was realistic and humble enough to recognize that he needed the Lord’s help above everything else! Wisdom taught him to turn to the Lord in prayer concerning the threat that his numerous enemies posed!

2. “They hate me with real hatred”

Prayer is the only place where you can talk to God about how you feel deep in your heart. How would one quantify “hatred.’ What was “real hatred?” These thoughts and feelings are difficult to share with another human being.

However, when one has learned to pour out the heart to the Lord, speaking to the Lord candidly is not a problem! David found himself able to bare his heart to the Lord concerning his many enemies who hated him with palpable hatred!

TALKING TO GOD IN PRAYER

How we need to learn how to speak to God in this same manner! Many keep the fears of their hearts and minds so closely that eventually, they hurt themselves! Others brush aside the need to talk about “enemies” and they succumb to the wiles of the people they do not believe existed! The wise learn to talk to the Lord in humble prayer with hearts that are fully open to God. The Lord preserves the wise especially!

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~