The Fight of Your Life

When I was a kid I didn’t get into many fights. As an adult I have never been in a real fight. While I have been around people who have gotten really angry, none of them have resorted to violence yet.

I have been in situations that exposed me to dangerous violence. When we lived in Nepal, an insurrection was in process and violent demonstrations occurred without notice all around the city. On occasion I inadvertently traveled to these areas and barely avoided the violence.

We all can face unexpected opposition and violence at times, especially in our world today. It amazes me how quickly we can make enemies or become an enemy to someone else. Today, if someone doesn’t agree with you, they can choose from a variety of means to attack you. Social media and traditional media sources are a couple of the truly dangerous weapons used in these attacks. Isn’t it strange that people on all political spectrums say that they are defenders of democracy while viciously attacking their opponents?

It is difficult to know how to respond when we are attacked in these ways. I find comfort in going to God in these situations. Jesus understands because He suffered brutally in the most outrageous attack possible. Psalm 18:1-3 gives us great promises regarding the protection that God provides His people; “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”God protects His children from their enemies. All we have to do is call upon Him.

Verses 6-8 of the same Psalm describe how God can deal with our enemies; “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him.” I sure do not want to be an enemy of God and face that kind of defense. It is always best to stay friends with God and His people.