Pastor Baker's Blog

Entry for October 21, 2008

Daily Reading: Psalm 139 thru Psalm 142

Key Verses: Psalm 139:19-22

In the days of the Old Testament David faced a lot of enemies. His enemies were pagan nations who did not know or cared to know God. David spoke candidly to God concerning his enemies. Identifying the enemy was not difficult because God chose the nation of Israel to be His people; so anybody outside of the nation was an enemy. Through Christ, God established a new relationship with His chosen people. Through Christ, God established the church. It is not so easy to say anyone who is not a part of the church is our enemy. Jesus revealed the enemy of the church when He said to His disciples, "upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail over it." Hell and all of it's tenants are our enemies. When we speak candidly as David did about God taking care of our enemies, we are speaking about our spiritual enemies. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. If you have ever been uncomfortable praying these types of Psalms, I want to encourage you to pray them with a new focus. We know Satan and his demons hate God. We also know how much God loves us. God is so real and He wants us to be the same with Him. Peace and blessings be unto you.

2008-10-21 10:53:14 GMT

Comments (1 total)

Author:Anonymous

David speaks of a perfect hatred towards the enemies of God. God's enemies were David's enemies. As an individual living in a Fallen World, I think hatred is an emotion that is easier to experience than love. An individual can hate someone immediately, but it takes time to love. In our politically correct, tolerant world, we don't like to use the term hate because it has such a strong connotation. We prefer to say dislike. I think hatred or dislike stems from a lack of knowledge and a lot of presumptions. Jesus knew that hatred was an emotion that would give His people trouble - so He gave us a new perspective on our enemies. We are to bless those who curse us and turn the other cheek. We are to love one another. Of course, these types of behaviors are only possible when one has an intimate relationship with Christ - the Savior, the life-changer. Life-change allows you to feel differently about things. Issues with other people are no longer as important as a relationship with Christ. David may have had a perfect hatred towards the enemies of God, but we as Christians can have a perfect love towards others. We can confine our perfect hatred to the works of Satan. However, I think that Jesus can provide such a fullness of joy that even the works of Satan can't get a rise out of us.
--Aundrea Baker
<mailto:abaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org>

2008-10-21 15:15:19 GMT

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		Pastor Baker's Daily Devotional

		Entry for October 21, 2008 Daily Reading: Psalm 139 thru Psalm 142 Key Verses: Psalm 139:19-22 In the days of the Old Testament David faced a lot of enemies. His enemies were pagan nations who did not know or cared to know God. David spoke candidly to God concerning his enemies. Identifying the enemy was not difficult because God chose the nation of Israel to be His people; so anybody outside of the nation was an enemy. Through Christ, God established a new relationship with His chosen people. Through Christ, God established the church. It is not so easy to say anyone who is not a part of the church is our enemy. Jesus revealed the enemy of the church when He said to His disciples, "upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail over it." Hell and all of it's tenants are our enemies. When we speak candidly as David did about God taking care of our enemies, we are speaking about our spiritual enemies. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. If you have ever been uncomfortable praying these types of Psalms, I want to encourage you to pray them with a new focus. We know Satan and his demons hate God. We also know how much God loves us. God is so real and He wants us to be the same with Him. Peace and blessings be unto you. 2008-10-21 10:53:14 GMT Comments (1 total) Author:Anonymous David speaks of a perfect hatred towards the enemies of God. God's enemies were David's enemies. As an individual living in a Fallen World, I think hatred is an emotion that is easier to experience than love. An individual can hate someone immediately, but it takes time to love. In our politically correct, tolerant world, we don't like to use the term hate because it has such a strong connotation. We prefer to say dislike. I think hatred or dislike stems from a lack of knowledge and a lot of presumptions. Jesus knew that hatred was an emotion that would give His people trouble - so He gave us a new perspective on our enemies. We are to bless those who curse us and turn the other cheek. We are to love one another. Of course, these types of behaviors are only possible when one has an intimate relationship with Christ - the Savior, the life-changer. Life-change allows you to feel differently about things. Issues with other people are no longer as important as a relationship with Christ. David may have had a perfect hatred towards the enemies of God, but we as Christians can have a perfect love towards others. We can confine our perfect hatred to the works of Satan. However, I think that Jesus can provide such a fullness of joy that even the works of Satan can't get a rise out of us. --Aundrea Baker <mailto:abaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org> 2008-10-21 15:15:19 GMT Site Home