Text: Psalm 139: 19-24
Who are the enemies of God? The answer seems easy: abortionists and doctors who facilitate euthanasia or assist in suicide! They are men of blood; they rebel against God’s command to not murder; they take God’s name in vain by lying about His gift of life. They are God’s enemies. We fight against them in all levels of our lives, from participating in the civic realm to praying for the protection of life from the womb to the tomb.
But if those individuals are God’s enemies, why do we squirm when we read: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (Ps. 139:23)? We are afraid of what God will see: we also take His name in vain by not calling upon Him in our every need (Ps. 50:15); we rebel against God’s command to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44); we murder others by our hate (1 John 3:15; Matt. 5:21-22). If we are honest, we realize that we are also God’s enemies.
As God’s enemies, we are promised destruction (Rom. 6:23). But God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still His enemies, He sent His Son to die for us (Rom. 5:6-11; John 3:16)! For the sake of Christ, you are forgiven all of your sins of murder, hate, and rebellion. You are no longer God’s enemy! He has washed away all of your sins and purifies you with His blood (Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 6:11; 1 John 1:7). And He will lead you into the way everlasting.
Let us pray: O Lord, You did not want us to be Your enemies and so You sent Your only begotten Son to die for our sins and reconcile us to You. Thank You for the wonderful gift of Your Son, and grant us a firm faith that trusts in Him alone as the source of our forgiveness, life, and salvation. Amen.
(Mika Patron, 2nd-Year Deaconess Student)