Enemies

   Overheard on the VHF radio band during the annual Cutler Harbor Fourth of July boat race was this:
  "I always knew you was a slipp'ry customer."
Who hasn't had to face enemies?  From sibling rivalries to the bullies we encounter at school, to teenage competition and adult challengers, from what St. Paul calls enemies without, to enemies within, we ask, Why do we have to face such hostility?


   Many of our Psalms lately have dealt with the subject of enemies.  As Psalm 57 aptly describes them, they are like lions, greedily devouring their prey, their teeth are sharp like spears and arrows, and their utterances like sharp swords.  They are often far subtler than we are, laying traps not just for our feet, but for our very souls, and are obstacles to all progress.  As the Psalmist wrote in verse 6 :
   "They dug a pit in my way."


    What did I do to deserve such opposition?  Was it on account of my misdoings and mistakes?  The Scriptures tell us even Jesus found opposition from the devil, and one of his own disciples betrayed him into the hands of sinful men.  What more poignant description of Judas's kiss could we find than these words from Psalm 55:
   "My companion stretched out his hand against his friends,
        he violated his covenant.
     His speech was smoother than butter,
       yet war was in his heart."


   The Psalmist reminds us that we must never forget God is sovereign over all these things, our enemies included.  Sandwiched between verses 4 and 6, in Psalm 57, and repeated at the end, is this wonderful declaration: 
   "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
    Let Thy glory be over all the earth!"
Jesus showed us how to handle our enemies.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Love your enemies, and do good to those who hurt you.  We His servants are to do so also, remembering that, in the end, the victory is God's alone, and that our enemies will become a footstool for His feet.