Nemesis

Nem●e●sis (noun): a bitter enemy, especially one who seems unbeatable.

There are two sides to the definition of ‘nemesis’.

As a Christian the first example that comes to mind and fits this definition is our archenemy Satan. The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:8 that, your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. That ‘someone’ is anyone who stands on the side of righteousness, anyone who stands with God. And Jesus tells us in Luke 11:23 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.” So that would make anyone who has not chosen a side or anyone that has chosen the other side, an enemy of God and us.

But there is another example that fits this definition… one that probably escapes the grasp of most. Not because they can’t, but because they have been conditioned to see it from a singular point of view.

We too are the Nemesis!

Look at it again… “a bitter enemy”! That is what we are to Satan and those who stand with him… The remaining part says, “especially one who seems unbeatable”! Not only do we seem unbeatable to him, WE ARE! We are held protected in the very hand of God. In 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Paul tells us, “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one”. So even if Satan wanted to destroy us (and he does) he is held in restraint. And God has given us more than just protection. He has given us the power to overcome.

Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

God never intended for us to cower in a corner and wait for Him to return. In fact he expects quite the opposite. He has given us his spiritual armor and weapons to destroy the strongholds of the enemy and to take this world for Jesus. But Satan has lulled so many of us into a state of complacency, we are perfectly happy just living with status quo. God forbid that we should step out of our comfort zone and actually begin the work of gathering with Jesus. And because we don’t gather with Him, we run the risk of becoming one who scatters… one who does not stand with, but against Him. Like the song says if you choose not to choose, still you have made a choice.

So today what do you choose? Will you choose to be the Nemesis, or cower before the Nemesis we face?

Joshua 24:15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."