By Hope 103.2Thursday 29 Aug 2024Real Hope – The PodcastPodcastsReading Time: 2 minutes
We don’t often use the label ‘enemy’ – someone or something that can harm or weaken you.
Key points
- He silences your enemies by showing them how important you are to Him; how protected, loved and favoured.
- God doesn’t take counsel from your tormentors.
- Listen to the Psalm 23 series and others on Real Hope | The Podcast.
Who are the people in your life who have harmed or weakened you – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually?
Perhaps time has passed, yet the memories of these wounds rise from the depths – the pain, the cruel words, lies, gossip, rejection, insecurity, fear, anxiety, sadness, low self-esteem, continuing to harm and weaken you.
People have broken your trust, betrayed you, taken advantage of you.
He silences your enemies by showing them how important you are to Him; how protected, loved and favoured.
Enter the shepherd. The God of the universe is not influenced by your enemies. He is not scared of them. They have no power over Him. He doesn’t get caught up in the gossip, the lies, the mocking, the belittling, or the ridicule. Instead, He silences your enemies by showing them how important you are to Him; how protected, loved and favoured.
Think about this feast prepared for you, in plain sight of your enemies. Look around that table. The creator of the universe, the good shepherd who laid His life down for you, for me – silencing the voices and actions of your enemies, those feelings, those fears, that pain, through His favour, His provision, His protection, His refreshing, and His abundance that He willingly and lovingly shares with you.
God doesn’t take counsel from your tormentors.
Look around that table again. God doesn’t take counsel from your tormentors – those who mock you, defraud you, disregard you. God knows who you are and loves you more deeply than you can imagine. He can restore you, refresh you, protect you, and provide for you in abundance. Focus on Him.
Listen to this episode in the player above.
Psalm 23 is a seven-week series. Psalm 23 is one of the best known and loved passages in the Bible. It is the go-to verse for difficult seasons while being foundational for the daily Christian life.
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Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro
Episode supplied with thanks to Aaron Wright.
Originally published as ‘Enemies in Plain Sight’ in Real Hope, July-August 2024.