Twenty-Sixth Day: 'In the Presence of Mine enemies.'
A Christian's presence of enemies is a sign of their friendship with God, and the secret to victory is submitting to Christ.
J. Wilbur Chapman preaches about the presence of enemies in the life of a good man, emphasizing that having enemies is a sign of being a friend of God. He illustrates this with an old Roman custom where victorious soldiers would feast in the presence of their bound enemies. Chapman highlights that our worst enemies often come from within, such as temper, pride, and unholy thoughts, but through complete submission to Christ, we can experience deliverance and victory over them.
Text
"THE good man has his enemies; he would not be like his Lord if he had not. If we were without enemies, we might fear that we were not the friends of God, for the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Yet see the quietude of the godly man in spite of and in the face of his enemies."
There was an old Roman custom, which may have prevailed even in David's time, which would shed light on this part of the psalm. When a soldier had won a victory and taken the enemy prisoners, a feast was made for him, and the captives were bound to the pillars of the banqueting-hall; and in their presence he was made to sit down and eat. This certainly may be realized in your experience and mine.
A man's foes are they of his own household, and our worst enemies are from within. With some it is temper; with others, pride; with still others, unholy thoughts; and with many, the disposition to actual outbreaking sin. But there is deliverance from all, and there may be so complete a submission to Christ that he, becoming the master of your life, will bind them all and cause you to feast in their presence.
SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY.
1. Open your eyes to the fact that you are not free from danger. Sin is not dead, and the old nature may be easily revived.
2. Remember that sin is mightier than your resolution or your will. Determination not to sin is not the secret of victory.
3. Put your whole life in the undisputed control of Christ. He is the secret of victory always and everywhere.
Sermon Outline
- The Presence of Enemies
- The inevitability of enemies
- The source of enemies
- The secret of victory
Key Quotes
“If we were without enemies, we might fear that we were not the friends of God, for the friendship of the world is enmity with God.” — J. Wilbur Chapman
“A man's foes are they of his own household, and our worst enemies are from within.” — J. Wilbur Chapman
“He is the secret of victory always and everywhere.” — J. Wilbur Chapman
Application Points
- Recognize that you are not free from danger and that sin is still a threat.
- Remember that determination alone is not enough to overcome sin; submit to Christ for true victory.
- Put your whole life in the undisputed control of Christ for a life of true victory.