A Real Enemy

An enemy can be defined as one who is opposed to and hostile against another.  When King Saul realised the people cheered David, he was envious of the praise and saw him as a threat.  He became David's enemy and sought opportunity to kill him.  Murder lurked in the heart of the king who was lifted up with pride.  This unchecked pride led to other sins, such as consulting a medium for guidance when he had been tasked by God to rid the nation of such abominations.  Samuel's chilling response to Saul's inquiry include those found in 1 Samuel 28:16:  "Why then do you ask me, seeing the LORD has departed from you and has become your enemy?"

Because Saul opposed the righteous judgments of God and sought to murder the one chosen and anointed by God to replace him, God also became Saul's enemy.  Most who have basic Bible knowledge realise the devil, Satan, is an adversary and enemy with whom Christians must contend.  What we may not understand is the principle when we make ourselves enemies of God, He will oppose us as an enemy.  He will discipline us, even as a father the son whom he loves.  Many times God delivered His beloved people into the hands of their enemies and placed them under oppression because of their unrepentant sin against Him.  The Almighty God who is our refuge can also be as a real enemy against us when we are lifted up with pride and oppose Him.

Still not convinced?  Consider the words of Isaiah 63:7-10 concerning His dealings with His people:  "I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD  and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, according to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses. ⁸ For He said, "Surely they are My people, children who will not lie." So He became their Savior. ⁹ In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bore them and carried them all the days of old. ¹⁰ But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; so He turned Himself against them as an enemy, and He fought against them."  God is loving to oppose His people when they work for their own ruin, and His opposition may actually be our salvation.

King Ahab reigned over the northern kingdom of Israel and did great evil in the sight of God.  For three and a half years God withheld rain so people would know He was the true God over all.  When King Ahab went to take possession of Naboth's vineyard after his wife Jezebel arranged his murder, the prophet of God Elijah was sent by God to speak with him.  1 Kings 21:20 says, "So Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, O my enemy?" And he answered, "I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD..."  Ahab viewed Elijah, a man of God, as his enemy when in fact it was Ahab who was an enemy of God!  He fought against God and therefore God opposed Him.  How foolish this proved to be, for who can fight against God and win?

Paul was right to ask the rhetorical question in Romans 8:31:  "If God be for us, who can be against us?"  God is able to deliver us from all evil and trample our enemies under His feet.  Yet it is not by virtue of our new birth or faith in Christ that God is for us:  God is for everyone who believes Him and walks in righteousness.  If we live in sin we are presumptuous to think He will support or deliver us.  When we chose to oppose God and His righteousness, the one who works against us is God Himself.  The devil is not to blame for all that "goes wrong" in our lives, for God is able to graciously work for our redemption through them.  The question is not if God be for us, but are we living against Him?  Only a fool is fine to remain an enemy of God.