God is not your enemy
Good morning brethren, I like to write on a topic “God is not your enemy” following the challenges some people go through as believers, they may feel as though God has become an enemy to them. By way of understanding, an enemy is anybody who resists you, who contradicts you, who crosses you, who antagonises you. Perhaps I should start with my growing up experience, I use to think that some disciplinarians for example my teachers, seniors in School were being wicked, mean and enemies of progress, at the time I was not able to comprehend the purpose of their actions. Obviously, I was one-sided hence my conclusion that they were enemies. Rather they were placed in my life to help my destiny, truly the Lord will bless them. Unfortunately, in our Christian race especially in times of trials, it may begin to feel as though God has become an enemy to us. The bible in Lamentations 2 attributes the destruction of Jerusalem to God’s activity,
“The Lord has become like an enemy; He has destroyed Israel; He has destroyed all its palaces, laid in ruins its strongholds, and multiplied in daughter Judah mourning and lamentation” (2:5). It is important to note the word “like an enemy” in other words, the writer expresses his feelings “The Lord seems to act like an enemy - but God is not the enemy of His people. Maybe something to learn from here, believers are encouraged not to hide their thoughts or feelings, especially in times of suffering, confusion or trials. Please note that it is not a sin to cry out, the blind Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus for help (Mark 10:46-52), the Psalmist cried out in Psalms 10. Perhaps such a genuine cry will open a divine communication. Some examples are when we may feel God is distant or even feel He is the One fighting us like an enemy. When God becomes silent, His silence may cause a believer to feel that God is far from him (Psalms 35:22), when God ‘s presence appears to be absent in a believer’s life (Psalms 44:24), in times of trials and even in the times of chastening, please note that God’s chastening is always in love and it is directed to correcting the believers.
In conclusion, believers are encouraged to trust completely in God. Have you ever gone through a difficult times in which it felt like God was against you, please feel free to pray or talk to your Pastor or directly to God about it. Lastly the Psalmist in Psalms 23, reminds us of God’s presence and care for us so be sure that God is not your enemy. Service is for 10.30am and workers meeting is for 10am. God’s blessings - Mike