Introduction:  Before salvation, we are the enemies of God (Romans 5:10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
See All...).  At salvation we are reconciled through the finished work and righteousness of God’s Son (Romans 5:10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
See All...).  Yet there are times, even in the Christian life, where it seems as though God has become as an enemy.  In this passage, Jeremiah relates God to an enemy because of His wrath on Judah.  Though we are saved from the fullness of God’s wrath, we still have experiences in this life that seem as though the Lord Himself has turned on us.

1. IN TIMES OF CHASTISEMENT 
1. God’s Dealings with Your Sin
1. God’s chastening tends to be despised (Job 5:17Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
   See All...; Proverbs 3:11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
   See All...; Hebrews 12:5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
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2. God’s chastening seems to be grievous (Hebrews 12:11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
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2. God’s Revelation of Your Sin (Psalm 94:12Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
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1. God has not yet revealed to you all of your sins.
2. God desires to continue to work on you throughout your life.
3. Some men grow weary when God pulls back the curtains of their heart to reveal a sin they had not previously been convicted for (Psalm 139:23-24 [23] Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: [24] And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
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2. IN TIMES OF TRIAL 
1. Trials Appear to be the Absence of God’s Presence (Psalm 6:3-4 [3] My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? [4] Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.
   See All...; Psalm 13:1How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
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2. Trials Appear to be the Absence of God’s Favor (Psalm 79:5How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
   See All...; Job 2:3-9 [3] And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. [4] And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. [5] But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. [6] And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. [7] So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. [8] And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. [9] Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
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3. IN TIMES OF SILENCE 
1. Silence Causes the Child of God to Feel Equal with the Wicked (Psalm 28:1Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
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2. Silence Causes the Child of God to Feel Alone (Psalm 35:22This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
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Conclusion:  Are you in a time of life where it seems as though God has become as an enemy?  You can rest assured that He is not an enemy and that He is with you.  The chastisement of God, the trials of life and the times of silence are ordered of the Lord out of love for you to encourage you to go on for His name’s sake.  Will you follow?