The Daily: Monday August 25, 2025

Psalm 23 (NRSV, The Message)

You serve me a six-course dinner, right in front of my enemies.
Psalm 23 (The Message)

This week and next we're talking about enemies, taking pages from Melissa Florer-Bixler's book How to Have an Enemy: Rightoues Anger and the Work of Peace.

We often feel uncomfortable with the idea of having enemies. In church, we're taught to love everyone, to turn the other cheek, to be peacemakers. But what if having enemies isn't inherently wrong? What if recognizing our enemies is actually a necessary step toward creating positive change? Jesus never said we shouldn't have enemies. Instead, He acknowledged their existence and gave us instructions on how to respond to them. The biblical prophets weren't afraid to name those who opposed God's kingdom. They understood that naming an enemy is not about harboring hatred toward individuals but about identifying the forces that work against God's dream for our world. In our lives and communities, we face enemies that are often not people but systems and ideologies that perpetuate injustice and suffering. When we fail to name these enemies, we remain paralyzed, hoping someone else will fix things. But God calls us to be more than passive observers. We are called to be active participants in bringing about His kingdom. Today, consider what forces in our world stand opposed to God's vision of justice, peace, and love. Having the courage to name these enemies is the first step toward addressing them with the love and determination that Jesus modeled for us.

Reflection Question
What systems or ideologies in our world today might be considered enemies of God's kin-dom, and how might naming them help us address them more effectively?

Prayer
God of justice and truth, give me the courage to see clearly the forces that oppose Your kin-dom. Help me to name them without hatred, to confront them with wisdom, and to work against them with love. May I never be a passive observer but always an active participant in Your redemptive work. Amen.