Psalm 23: verse 5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.The LORD in his providence pours out his blessings on his sheep in the presence of their enemies. The world and those redeemed by grace will be enemies. Jesus said, (Mt 10:22) “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” If a person or church is admired and held in high esteem by the world, then Scripture is clear that something is very wrong. James even calls such a situation as being hatred toward God. Hatred from the world should not be surprising and we should take comfort that God provides for his sheep with temporal and spiritual blessings. The sheep of God’s pasture may not enjoy the temporal things of this dying world, but their cup will be overflowing from the showers of spiritual blessings that God provides for his sheep. God’s grace for his sheep is in such abundance that it overflows. It is more than sufficient and God’s sheep never have to worry or fear that their situation or circumstances are beyond His sovereign control.
Praise God that his sheep are under his spiritual and physical care and all things work for their ultimate good (Rom. 8:28).
6 comments:
I'm sure there isn't a Christian who hasn't clung to Romans 8:28. I know I have, and do, MANY times.
Susan
If a person or church is admired and held in high esteem by the world, then Scripture is clear that something is very wrong.
I agree. The church *must* look and be very different from the world. Friendship with the world is enmity with God. Sadly, the church in the US is hardly distinguishable. May the Lord grand us his mercy and enable us to trust in Him all the more during the hard times. In fact, I know it sounds strange perhaps, but I actually wish for harder times. The church - His people - need them. We are too soft today.
The world will have different attitudes toward the Church.
If the Church is acting "kooky" then the world has a right to mock. If the Church is acting self-righteous, then the world will call us on that as well.
If the Church is worshipping God in Spirit and truth: Loving Jesus Christ with grateful hearts, and praying without ceasing, then the world will be convicted and hate us, though we love them back by speaking the truth to the world. The truth that jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies...
I am reminded of Haman and Mordecai.
Susan, Susan, Don, and Craver:
Thanks for the four good points expressed here by you all.
wayne
Where to start? Perhaps if we (the church) get back to the basics - Acts 2:42 - we would grow more in likness to Christ and more hated by the world.
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