For Enemies …

Tomorrow, many Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving.  Most of our agendas will include lunch or dinner with family and friends we adore and cherish.  But what would you do if you received a Thanksgiving meal invitation from someone you really didn’t like?  What if that irritating co-worker or nagging boss invited you to their celebration?  What if the person who lives to make your life miserable asked you to stop by for turkey and dressing?  If you’re like most people, then you’d happily decline the invitation.

I used to think the same way, often dreading being around people who got on my nerves.  A sermon I heard earlier this year, however, changed my approach to “enemies.”  The sermon title was “A Friend Called Enemy,” an oxymoron, I might add, and it was based on Psalm 23:5 – “You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.”  The sermon and David’s words convinced me to get excited, and not aggravated, when I’m around people that make life difficult.  According to this verse, God reserves some blessings for moments when we have enemies.  He uses their aggravating attitudes and gestures as the prerequisite for our blessings.  God enriches our lives so those who don’t like us, and probably don’t know Him, can see how awesome He is!

Only God can use irritating individuals to bless us; He truly arranges every circumstance to work favorably for His people (see Romans 8:28).  If you’ve become more faithful, patient, prayerful, merciful, or compassionate this year because of your enemies, then thank God for it.  Truly, He has prepared the table of blessings for you in the presence of your enemies!