Intro: Before salvation, we were truly the enemies of God (Rom. 5:10). At salvation we were reconciled through the Person and finished work of His Son Jesus. Yet, there are times in the Christian life where it seems as though God has become as an enemy to us. In our passage, Jeremiah likens God to an enemy because of His wrath on Judah. Though we are saved from the fullness of God’s wrath, we still have experiences in this life that seem as though God Himself is against us. We shall look at some of the times when God is as an enemy.
I. IN TIMES OF CHASTENING
A. God Is Dealing With You As A Son (Heb. 12:5). God’s chastening is a form of correction (Job 5:17); that seems to be grievous and despised by us (Prov. 3:11; Heb. 12:11)
B. God Is Teaching You His Ways (Psa. 94:12). God can teach you lessons you would otherwise not learn in times of success, blessings and prosperity (Psa. 119:67, 71).
C. God Is Exposing Your Secret Sins (Psa. 90:8). He will purify and refine you as silver (Psa 66:10).
II. IN TIMES OF TRIAL
A. Trials Appear to be the Absence of God’s Presence in Our Lives (Psa. 44:24; 13:1)
B. Trials Appear to be the Absence of God’s Favor in Our Lives (Psa. 40:11; 74:1)
III. IN TIMES OF SILENCE
A. The Silence of God Causes the Believer to Feel Alike With the Wicked (Psa. 28:1).
B. The Silence of God Causes the Believer to Feel That God is Far From Him (Psa. 35:22)
Conclusion: Are you in a time of life where it seems as though God has become as an enemy? You can rest assured that He is not an enemy and that He is still with you. The Chastisement of God, the Trials of Life, and the Times of Silence are ordered out of love for you by our Heavenly Father to encourage you to press on for His name’s sake. Will you submit and trust Him?
