Having enemies is one thing. Being afraid of them is another. We have enemies; but we should not be afraid of them. In fact if we have no enemies, we should be afraid. If Satan and the ungodly world are our friends, God is our enemy, and we have reason for terrible fear. But if He is our light and our salvation, we have no reason to be afraid, no matter how big a host of enemies is against us.
The first promise God gave His church, the mother promise of Genesis 3:15, assures us that our enemies heads will be crushed! David speaks of this in Psalm 27:2 in these words: "When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell." Doing so, he does not mean that God's people are going to escape all bodily harm. We may be injured severely, or even be killed. The Scriptures give us many examples of this from Abel onward. But there are two facts that we should keep in mind.
All of the church's enemies are going to be cast into the lake of fire. Satan and his innumerable host will enter into everlasting punishment. And every child of God shall enter into the glories of heaven because Jehovah is his light and salvation.
The only thing the unbeliever can be sure of is that God will visit him with endless punishment. They may for a time seem to succeed; but they will stumble and fall into the torments of hell! For Jehovah, Who has all things under His perfect control, will keep His promise to us. And that He is the I AM means that He can truthfully say, "I AM in charge! And I AM faithful!"
No matter then what happens, sing these words of our versification:
When evil doers came
To make my life their prey,
They stumbled in their shame
And fell in sore dismay;
Though hosts make war on every side,
Still fearless I in God confide.
Read: Revelation 20
Psalter versification: #71:2
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter #162
Why not sing along??
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Ezra 1-2
I Corinthians 1:1-18 ; I Corinthians 2:1-5
Psalm 27:7-14
Proverbs 20:22-23
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Quote for Reflection:
As bread nourishes, sustains, and keeps the life of our body, so Christ’s body is the only food to invigorate and enliven our soul. When we see wine set forth as a symbol of blood, we must reflect on the benefits which wine imparts to the body, and so realize that the same are spiritually imparted to us by Christ’s blood. These benefits are to nourish, refresh, strengthen, and gladden. John Calvin’s Institute – Vol. 4, Chap. 17
Additional Info
- Date: 5-August
