Original Entry:
February 19, 2009
McMinnville, OR
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your
staff, they comfort me. You prepare a
table before me in the presence of my enemies.
Psalm 23:4-5
A few weeks ago a
good friend of mine said to me, “Everyone I talk to knows you.” Then he laughed and said, “Some people like
you and others don’t!”
At first this
bothered me but then, I must confess, it excited me. Our culture has emasculated the American
man. He has been castrated under the
rule that he should settle quietly into a life of passivity and anonymity. I wonder at the biblical accuracy of this
unspoken rule that men are required to carry.
It takes more effort to live a passive life than one of passion and
action.
Unfortunately the
passive man is in the majority and the assertive man is an endangered species.
Mediocrity has an
entire network but excellence often stands alone.
It is more difficult
to watch Eve eat the forbidden fruit than to rip it out of her hand, push her
aside, and step on the serpent.
Too many men fear
enemies to the point of having none.
Aren’t enemies the only ones that have the guts to tell us the truth? Aren’t they the ones who publicly stand
against us?
If a godly man stands
for something, those opposing him will stand against him. Should he cower before his enemies, unwilling
to “piss anyone off”? Or should he stand in the presence of greatness and
engage a culture that has turned on men. True greatness in God’s kingdom does
not avoid making enemies, but knows that any great cause has great opposition.
A man must memorize that psalmist, “I
will fear no evil for thou art with me.... Thou dost prepare a table for me in
the presence of my enemies” (4-5).
Do you have enemies
of righteousness?
I hope so.
