Enemies at Peace
The Lord's promise to make enemies at peace is conditional upon our ways pleasing Him, and He has shown His power to subdue wrath and make enemies friendly in the lives of Laban, Esau, and Saul of Tarsus.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the profound truth that when a person's ways align with God's will, even their enemies can be made to live in peace with them. He acknowledges that striving to please the Lord may invite opposition, yet reassures that God can turn the hearts of adversaries, as seen in the stories of Laban and Esau. Spurgeon highlights the transformative power of God, who can convert enemies into allies, exemplified by Saul of Tarsus. He encourages believers to focus on pleasing God, trusting that He will manage their conflicts and adversities. Ultimately, Spurgeon calls for faith and holiness, which delight the Lord and bring peace even in the face of death.
Text
When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)
I must see that my ways please the Lord. Even then I shall have enemies; and, perhaps, all the more certainly because I endeavor to do that which is right. But what a promise this is! The Lord will make the wrath of man to praise Him and abate it so that it shall not distress me.
He can constrain an enemy to desist from harming me, even though he has a mind to do so. This He did with Laban, who pursued Jacob but did not dare to touch him. Or He can subdue the wrath of the enemy and make him friendly, as He did with Esau, who met Jacob in a brotherly manner, though Jacob had dreaded that he would smite him and his family with the sword. The Lord can also convert a furious adversary into a brother in Christ and a fellow worker, as He did with Saul of Tarsus. Oh, that He would do this in every case where a persecuting spirit appears!
Happy is the man whose enemies are made to be to him what the lions were to Daniel in the den, quiet and companionable! When I meet death, who is called the last enemy, I pray that I may be at peace. Only let my great care be to please the Lord in all things. Oh, for faith and holiness; for these are a pleasure unto the Most High!
Sermon Outline
- The Promise of Peace with Enemies
- The Lord's Power to Constrain Enemies
- 'The Ideal: Enemies as Companions'
- A desire for peace with all, even death
- 'The key: pleasing the Lord in all things'
Key Quotes
“When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Oh, that He would do this in every case where a persecuting spirit appears!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Faith and holiness; for these are a pleasure unto the Most High!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Make it your great care to please the Lord in all things.
- Trust in the Lord's power to subdue wrath and make enemies friendly.
- Cultivate faith and holiness, for these are a pleasure unto the Most High.