I Samuel 2:1
‘Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation.'”
Hannah refers to her enemies. She had an obvious one, Elkanah’s other wife. This lady was jealous of Hannah. She would boast about her numerous children and ridicule Hannah about her previously barren state. She would allow her kids to pester her, as well. This all occurred in the home. The place that was to be her refuge, yet it offered no solace.
Enemies is a strong word. We could apply it to the difficult people in our lives. Some are difficult to be around, it also refers to those who don’t like us or have malicious in their dealings.
These people make life difficult. It’s easy to look back over our lives and remember the bullies. These have given us wounds and insecurities. We may have some of those today. The Lord wants to heal those hurts. He healed Hannah’s to the point that she was able to speak boldly to her enemies.
Psalm 23 says, “He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies”. This speaks of the honor the Lord gives us. He wants others to respect us. He provides situations that provide honor and He gives us confidence. It doesn’t mean we are to boast. The situation and our character does that without our intent.
What is our attitude to be? God loves our enemies. He is working in their hearts and drawing them to Himself. We should pray for them. This doesn’t mean we are to be their friend. Wisdom usually steers us away from that. Our struggle would be with bitterness. This seems impossible. We may need to forgive them daily in our hearts. The Spirit makes it work. We may have friends that are difficult. This one is different from the enemy.
God uses these difficult people to make us more Christlike and to provide a godly witness. Our blood pressure is often elevated with these individuals and the stress they generate. The Lord works patience and character in us. In time they no longer bother us. This helps us see why we are to praise Him in the storm. We can be thankful for these difficult ones, as they have assisted in making us better.
Lord, thank You that You help us with “the enemy”. Thank You that You work within us as You provide patience and godly character. Help us to praise You in the process.