Your hand will find all Your enemies; Your right hand will find those who hate You. You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; The Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath, And the fire shall devour them. Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth, And their descendants from among the sons of men. For they intended evil against You; They devised a plot which they are not able to perform. Therefore You will make them turn their back; You will make ready Your arrows on Your string toward their faces. Be exalted, O Lord , in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.
Psalms 21:8-13 NKJV
Enemies of the Lord. Don’t we have to admit that we have walked amongst that camp? That we have stood in the darkness of rebellion against what we know is good and right? Haven’t our actions, words, and thoughts betrayed our love of self and this world over God’s way?
Betrayed God, forgive me for willingly rebelling against your commands of life. My sin has turned light to dark and twisted what is good; all feels lost, and I am in deeper than I know. But I thank you that even in my sin and shame, you continue to call my name. Amen. (BC 14)
But aren’t we now walking in a different life? A blood bought life purchased at the cross with the most expensive and valuable of sacrifices poured out for our salvation, for our redemption, for our reconciliation into a new life, a new calling, a new purpose for Christ to live in and through our lives?
Yes, haven’t we set our eyes upon His Kingdom because the veil is torn and the purposes of eternity prove more weighty than the worries, temptations, or desires of the moment. Lord, thank you for restoring our sight, for setting our feet upon the solid foundation of Christ the cornerstone, and for offering us the opportunity to build upon it, through your love and righteousness to be manifest today in our lives. Remind us that our reasonable service is simply a grateful response to the love that You have extended to us, and that we are purpose built to deliver to those around us. Remind us, that we are your people. Show the world that we are your people in action and love, not just in hypocritical words.
And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’ ”
Isaiah 51:16 NKJV
Harold J. Ballinger 