Who or What is Your Enemy?

Recently I was reading Psalms 59.  Verses 1 and 16-17 really caught my eye.

 1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
protect me from those who rise up against me.

16 But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.

17 O my Strength, I sing praise to you;
you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.

It hit me as I read about my enemies, that my enemies are not the people in my life (Ephesians 6:12).  It’s not that I didn’t know this already, but the question popped into my mind, If people are not my enemies then who or what is?

I was reminded that my attitude, my anger, my selfishness, my opinions, my self-righteousness, my pride, and anything that keeps me from loving God and loving people is my enemy.  These are the real enemies of God.  It’s those things in my life that keep me from rejoicing in the Lord and living a victorious life.  Ever feel your frustration and anger rise up within you like the enemies David writes about?  Ever succumb to your pride and watch a relationship be destroyed?  Ever become so selfish that no else’s needs really mattered and you found yourself all alone?  Hard to love God and love others when we are overcome by these kinds of attacks.

When you feel like you’re being overwhelmed by your enemies stop and sing of God’s strength.  Sing of His love.  Allow Him to be your fortress, your protector, your safe place against your enemies.  Worship God and invite Him to empower you to stand firm and resist the devil and his wily schemes.  This is what David did.  This is what God became to David and He can be for you as well.

Know your enemy, better yet, know your God!

Mike