Dearly Beloved, IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5, NIV). Would you want your perceived enemies to be alive or dead? Would you want them to live well so that they can see the wonders that God will do in your life, or want God to get rid of them before He blesses you? The human nature makes one not only to rejoice at the misfortunes of one’s enemies, but to also wish them misfortunes and even invoke curses against them. Many people allow this human nature to control them in doing such things against their perceived enemies. However, a regenerated man will have a positive attitude toward his perceived enemies. Apart from this, it is evident that is it is the pleasure of God to spare the lives of our perceived enemies so that they will witness the goodness of God in our lives, and even come to praise God with us and seek peace with us if possible. This is what happened in the life of Isaac in Genesis 26. Isaac was in the land of Gerar, but the people there did not like him. They did all they could to frustrate him out of the land. However, the more they frustrated him the more God blessed him and made him to expand to the extent that his enemies came begging for reconciliation and treaty and apparently to share out of the blessings of God for Isaac. What a great triumph! Would Isaac have such if his enemies had died? This reminds me of the words of David in Psalm 23: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (verse 5, NIV). In the presence of your enemies, the Lord will bless you abundantly. Your blessings will be so much that you will be a blessing even to your enemies. Your enemies will live long to witness your breakthrough, and they will long to make peace with you and possibly share out of your blessings in Jesus’ name. Amen. However, a note of warning: let your ways be pleasing to the Lord! The Bible says, “When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7, NIV). Isaac ways were pleasing to God because he obeyed God (see Genesis 26:2-6). It is well with your soul! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). _________________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). +234 805 515 9591 http://www.afolabayo.org/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/ "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN" (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV). _________________________________________________ FindLaw - Free Case Law, Jobs, Library, Community http://www.FindLaw.com Get your FREE @JUSTICE.COM email! http://mail.Justice.com