When God Uses Our Enemies to Get Our Attention

Have you ever wondered if God might use the very things we fear to draw us closer to Him? It's an uncomfortable thought, isn't it? Yet throughout Scripture, we see a pattern of God allowing difficulty, even destruction, to penetrate the lives of His people—not because He's cruel, but because He loves them too much to let them continue on a path leading away from Him.

The Wide Road and the Narrow Path
We live in a world that celebrates the wide road. Think about it—new highways, smooth pavement, unlimited speed. Everything is designed for comfort and ease. But Jesus warned us that the wide road leads to destruction, while the narrow path leads to life. The question we must ask ourselves is simple: Which road are we traveling?
The book of Zechariah paints a vivid picture of what happens when God's people choose the wide road. The Israelites had just returned from bondage. They had been given a second chance, a fresh start. God had one simple request: rebuild the temple. Yet they became distracted by their own comfort, their own homes, their own pursuits. Sound familiar?

Worldly Pleasures: A Dangerous Distraction
Let's be honest with ourselves today. Do we have worldly pleasures? Of course we do. We all do. These aren't necessarily evil things in themselves—our jobs, our families, our hobbies, our entertainment. The critical question is this: Do these pleasures take us away from God? Do they come before Him?

When Alexander the Great swept through the ancient world, he destroyed cities that seemed indestructible. Towers built on wealth and human wisdom crumbled before his army. The Israelites watched in horror as their neighbors fell. But here's the uncomfortable truth: God was using an enemy to get His people's attention.

The imagery in Zechariah is graphic and unsettling—blood in the mouth, abominations between the teeth, like a ferocious animal tearing apart its prey. When God destroys something, it's thorough. It's complete. It doesn't come back the way it was.
But here's the beautiful part: "He who remains, even he shall be for our God."

The King Who Came on a Donkey
After painting this picture of destruction, Zechariah suddenly shifts to one of the most beautiful prophecies in Scripture: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey."

The Israelites expected a conquering king on a war chariot, dressed in royal purple with a crown of gold. Instead, they got a humble carpenter riding on a donkey—the transportation of the poor. This wasn't the king they were looking for, but He was exactly the King they needed.

And here's something profound to consider: Remember how God punished Adam after the Fall? He told him that he would work the ground, fighting against thorns and thistles. Fast forward to Jesus—before He even reached the cross, what did they place on His head? A crown of thorns. The very punishment God gave humanity for sin, Jesus wore on His own head. He took our curse upon Himself.

The Blood Covenant
"As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit." This is the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ. We were prisoners—trapped in sin, destined for destruction. But through the blood covenant established by Christ on the cross, we are set free.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me." He was fully human, and He didn't want to suffer. But then He said those crucial words: "Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done." He chose obedience. He chose sacrifice. He chose you and me.

A Call to Total Commitment
The question facing each of us today is this: Are we willing to say the same thing? "Not my will, but Yours be done, God."

God doesn't want part of us. He doesn't want a percentage. He's not interested in being squeezed into the margins of our busy lives. He is a jealous God who wants all of us—150% of our time, our energy, our devotion. Why? Because He gave His absolute best for us.
We can never repay Jesus for what He did on the cross. We can't even move the needle on that debt. But we can respond with wholehearted devotion. We can stop letting our worldly obsessions get in the way. We can choose, today, to put God first in everything.

The Reality of Death
Life is real, and death can come at any age. A 43-year-old man, healthy and active in his community, went to sleep one night and didn't wake up. He left behind a wife, two young children, and a church that loved him. But praise God, he was ready.

Are you ready? If your time came today, would you be prepared to stand before the King?
The good news is that salvation is available right now. You don't have to clean yourself up first. You don't have to get your life together. You simply have to come to Jesus honestly, admit you're a sinner, and ask Him to forgive you and come into your heart. That's it. He'll do the rest.

Living as His People
For those who already know Christ, the challenge is different but equally important: Are we living like His people? Are we working to build His kingdom, or are we too comfortable in our own little worlds?

"The Lord their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land. For how great is its goodness, and how great is its beauty!"

This is our destiny if we belong to Him—to be jewels in His crown, lifted high for all to see. But we must choose the narrow path. We must say, "Whatever it takes, God, I'll do Your will."
The wide road may look appealing with its smooth pavement and comfortable ride, but it leads to destruction. The narrow path may be harder to walk, but it leads to life eternal with the King who loved us enough to wear a crown of thorns.
Which path will you choose today?