More N's of the Night

The N's of the Night

Week Twenty-Seven - Enemies

We tend to use the book of Psalms for encouragement and memorizing positive verses. But there is nearly an equal number of negative verses on persecution, vengeance, and enemies that we prefer to overlook. We avoid them because they remind us of serious truths: God is angry with the wicked every day, we will give an account of every word, or that God is an all-consuming fire and judgment is coming, etc. We want things sweet, but we live in the nasty now and now. We can’t bury our heads in the sand or think bad or sad things will ever happen.

 

God has never hidden the harsh reality of life. He is forthright when He says, “Yea, all that will live godly will suffer persecution.” Will…meaning there is no way to avoid it.

 

I’m not promoting an attitude of dejection or resignation, but one of acceptance that comes with a resolve that says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19). We need not fear afflictions and enemies, but continue armed by faith.

 

Having said that, it still catches us off guard and hurts to the core when wounded by a friend or attacked by an enemy. Forgive me when I say, “That’s fine. It should hurt.” Hurting means we care. Hurting alerts us to action and places us on-point to make godly decisions.

 

To be honest, very few of us wield our spiritual sword first when we are attacked by an enemy. We usually let our hearts fall to our sleeve and sputter out some feeble response, or lash back with an equally verbal lunge and wind up in tears with a situation heightened and us rocking on our heels.

 

But it need not be that way. If we take off our rose-colored glasses, dawn our spiritual armor, and walk daily in the Spirit, we will most usually see the enemy’s advance. If he jumps out of the bushes, we are already prepared, and our responses will be purposeful and directed.

 

God is not afraid of our enemies. His word assures us of His understanding of their tactics, motivations, and goals. Armed with that knowledge, He uses the enemy’s efforts for His own purpose. He knows their end, and He’s already shared it with us.

 

God also knows our responses. He knows when we cry, when we hate, when we whine and complain, when we fear, and even when we fight back. As in every trial, God uses the enemy’s purpose to better equip us, help us grow, and learn to stand bringing glory to Himself. 

God is our shield and buckler, our defense, our strong tower. He is the lifter up of our heads, our safety, and our sure rock in the face of any enemy.

 

King David faced many enemies. He made many mistakes, but God still delivered him. Let’s list a few of his enemies.

 

1.     Enemies within the family – his brothers laughed at him

2.     Enemies out of proportion – The giant, Goliath

3.     Enemies in the workplace – King Saul

4.     Enemies from circumstances – Michal, his unhappy first wife

5.     Enemies in society – Shimei, the guy who publically taunted him

6.     Enemies in culture – the Philistines

7.     Enemies from within – his own sinful desires

8.     Enemies in politics – his son, Absalom

9.     Enemies in old age – his son, Adonijah

 

Enemies act the same way today, and God’s prescription for handling them still works.

 

In each instance, David kept himself before the Lord and behaved himself wisely. I love that phrase. It describes so many aspects, reactions, thoughts, decisions, awareness, alertness, consideration, and manners. David was aware of his surroundings and conscious that his responses influenced situations and people. He walked circumspectly. Because of that, he was able to navigate enemies and remain a man after God’s own heart.

 

So next time we face an enemy, let’s be aware of their tactics, motivations, and goals.  2 Corinthians 2:11, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." 

Let’s examine our responses and behave ourselves wisely. As we look at the situation through the lens of God’s word, we know He will deliver us!

 

Finally, let’s grab hold of God’s promises, tighten the belts of our armor, and go out prepared to stand in the battle for the Lord.

Tools for Healing

Week Twenty-Six - Equality

Equality is a rather dynamite word, but it’s a subject we can’t avoid.  God doesn’t avoid it either.  He has plenty to say, and we might be surprised about what He says.

 

First, let’s admit that inequality is throughout the Bible. People were sold, enslaved, mistreated, and abused. God doesn’t try to hide the results of sin. 

 

But I don’t want to talk about that today.  I want us to try to get a truly biblical perspective on this idea of equality.  When we do, I think it will significantly affect our attitudes and actions.  It’s an elementary lesson, but one we too often try to complicate.

 

Are we all equal? That is the question.  And the answer is, yes.  That answer does not negate the roles within which we work, i.e., positions in the home or at work.  Equality does not mean we are all free to do as we wish or thwart authority.

 

I believe God’s word teaches we are all equal in three equally specific ways.

 

First, we all have equal access to God.  God waits to hear from all of us in prayer.  He knocks at the door of our hearts wanting access and fellowship.  All any of us have to do is call upon Him.  For the sinner, He wants to hear the call for forgiveness.  For the Christian, He wants the daily and moment by moment fellowship.  God does not turn us away.  We might refuse to come, but He always stands ready to hear and answer.  The only barrier to anyone’s access to Him is sin which is unforgiven, and the sin that pulls us away from Him.  But He is always near, always there, always willing.  We all have equal access.

 

Then, we all have an equal value to God.  He is no respecter of persons.  To Him, there is no Jew or Greek, no male nor female; all are the same.  He sees us as valuable because He is our Creator.  Everything He created was good. 

 

God is not color-blind.  He created variety, individuality, and uniqueness. Every one of His creations is special, unique, and valuable. To be valuable means having worth.  So much worth, that God sent His Son to redeem us. 

 

When Adam went astray, God sought to win him back because Adam was valuable to God.  We are valuable; therefore, God will seek us out. He will offer the call to forgiveness and

like that Good Shepherd, go out looking for us when we go astray.  God doesn’t leave His valuables unattended!  Every life is precious to God—every life.

 

So, we all have equal access. We all have equal value, and then, we all have equal – get ready for it – equal accountability.

 

It’s so nice to say we have equal access and equal value, but equal accountability puts a different spin on the whole thing.

 

Equal accountability.  God will judge each of us according to His word.  That tells me that I need to be applying the idea of equality to my relationships and actions.  If every man is equal, then I am accountable for how I treat God’s creation.  It doesn’t matter if I am the employee or the employer; God holds me responsible for my treatment of the other person.  It leaves me with no excuse when I misuse my power or allow pride to be my driver; there is no room for power or pride in accountability. I can’t hide behind excuses or claim ignorance.  God says every one of us will give an account of ourselves before Him.

 

We are all equal.  We all stand at the foot of the cross and make our decision like the two thieves on either side of Jesus.  They had equal access – the God of all creation was right beside them.  They had equal value – He was there dying for the sins of both.  And, they had equal accountability. What were they going to do with their opportunity?  One decided to humbly kneel his heart; the other chose to rebel and reject.

 

Today, we have the opportunity to re-evaluate our view on equality.  I think if you take time to look through this lens, your opinion will be considerably changed.  Instead of seeing masses of people with whom you are not involved, you will understand that you are a part of the creation, with access to God, valuable, and accountable, as are they all.

 

I find this truly humbling because I understand we are all on a level playing field.  And it challenges me because I know there are times when I have not treated my fellow human beings with the value they deserve, and pride has been in my heart.  It creates zeal.  I want them to know God’s love and acceptance. It makes me fearful as well, because I know I must give account to God of my life.

 

So, while people scream for equality, let’s see them for what they are.  Poor and needy, but the Lord is there for them.  They are precious in His sight and accountable to a holy God.

 

All lives matter because all lives have equal—

 

A – Access   V – Value    A— Accountability

Impossible, Difficult, Done

https://youtu.be/ualS0gqPhts

Saints Alive!