“How long I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me.” Psalm 13:2
Dear friend and members of St. Paul’s,
This weekend the sermon will focus on Psalm 13 which is a lament Psalm. Lament Psalms ask God to take care of a variety of dilemma’s that encounter the believer. One is quickly struck in reading these Psalms how real the enemies are to the authors. For example, the enemies in Psalm 13 are those in Saul’s camp who are desiring to take the life of David. Some Psalms like Psalm 109 are Psalms that ask God to bring all sorts of judgements on enemies. These Psalms, sometimes called Imprecatory Psalms, make us uncomfortable, especially considering Jesus words to “love our enemies.” In our lives certain individuals may be working against us, and therefore could be an enemy of sorts (if that is the case we are still called to love them), yet our true enemies are the devil, the world, and our sinful nature. When you encounter “enemies” in the Psalms keep these three in mind. While, our enemy certainly is the devil who wants to take us from the faith, our enemies also include destructive viruses, cancers, our own negative behaviors, various addictions, along with death and everything that surrounds it. Here is the good news, Jesus your Savior, is greater than these enemies and because of that he will make sure they do not have the final word in your life. This same Jesus also provides you and me with the tools to battle these enemies in his word, meal, and baptismal promises. Join us this weekend for worship, whether online or in person, to receive the great help our Lord gives you to come out victorious against these all too real enemies.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Krenz
