When God Becomes Your Enemy

There is no fury like that of a woman scorned, says the world. While this is true, there is a greater truth which is, there is no fury like that of God unleashed on his disobedient children. Many of us fear satan and what he can do to us. As we read the story of Job we shiver and tremble at what Job had to go through and we pray that such challenges would not be our portion. However, as difficult and testing as Job’s troubles were, Jesus said in Luke 12:5,”Fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear him!” Who was Jesus referring to? The devil or God? Believe it or not He was talking about God. How is it possible for God our loving Father to become our most feared enemy? God can be your worst enemy if you persistently turn your back on Him. Deuteronomy chapter 32 recounts God’s testimony regarding the children of Israel. He had rescued them from Egypt, from the evil hands of Pharaoh. Listen to his compassionate words in Deuteronomy 32:11-14 and it reads,”Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them in and carried them aloft on his pinions. The LORD alone guided them; they lived without any foreign gods. He made them ride over the highlands; he let them feast on the crops of the fields. He nourished them with honey from the cliffs, with olive oil from the hard rock. He fed them curds from the herd and milk from the flock, together with the fat of lambs and goats. He gave them choice rams and goats from Bashan, together with the choicest wheat. You drank the finest wine, made from the juice of grapes.” With this kind of lavish love, you would think the people would be forever grateful and loyal to Him. Instead they did what all unregenerate humans do; they dishonored Him! Deut 32:15 continues,” But Israel soon became fat and unruly; the people grew heavy, plump, and stuffed! Then they abandoned the God who had made them; they made light of the Rock of their salvation.” What should a just God do? Yes, he did exactly what you would expect. He became their worst enemy! Deut 32:22-25 recounts God’s anger. It reads,” For my anger blazes forth like fire and burns to the depths of the grave. It devours the earth and all its crops and ignites the foundations of the mountains. I will heap disasters upon them and shoot them down with my arrows. I will send against them wasting famine, burning fever, and deadly disease. They will be troubled by the fangs of wild beasts, by poisonous snakes that glide in the dust. Outside, the sword will bring death, and inside, terror will strike both young men and young women, both infants and the aged.” Here’s the question, can we expect the same treatment if we abandon God? Since God is impartial, we can expect His fierce wrath on us if we follow the same path as the Israelites. The Bible is written for our instruction and correction. What we need to do is not fall into the same sins others have fallen into. How do we do that? How do we keep God as a friend rather than an enemy?

Firstly, we seek His face daily. As humans, we are quick to forget. We take God’s care and compassion for granted. Our familiarity with him often breeds contempt and abandonment. We need to guard against these natural inclinations by zealously and consciously seeking Him everyday. Secondly, we need to adopt a childlike faith and dependence on Him. Remember, God loves to interact with his children the way we love to interact with ours. This type of relationship builds an unbreakable intimacy. It brings to life Proverbs 3:6 which reads,” Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” Lastly, we must maintain a healthy fear of the Lord. This fear will keep us from straying; it will keep us from complacency, and from sinning. Also the reverence of God will give us the knowledge and wisdom we need in living out our faith. We will be loved and protected by him as we fear him. King Solomon, the wisest person ever created, after a long discourse on the meaning of life, concluded by saying in Ecclesiastes 12:13,” Fear God and keep his commands, for this everyone’s duty.”

In conclusion, if you desire God’s love instead of his wrath, if you want God to be your friend and protector instead of your worst enemy, you need to listen to King Solomon- Fear God and obey his commands! This will keep you safe from Him! When you do have an enemy, you can be sure he is not from God. Isaiah 54:15 puts it this way, “If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you.” As you can see, God honors those who honor Him. Choose to be God’s friend today and come under the shadow of the Almighty, that it may be well with you! To God be the Glory!!