SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23
Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20, 2 Timothy 4:14-15

In 1 Timothy 1 Paul was dealing with a man who had become a real enemy. His name was Alexander the Coppersmith, and he delivered him to satan for the destruction of his flesh so that his spirit would be saved in the day of the Lord. A significant amount of time passed between the writing of 1 Timothy and the writing of 2 Timothy. Five years passed between the penning of the two letters. In that five years there was no turning in the life of Alexander. So Alexander had not turned but grown worse. Finally Paul prayed this, “Alexander the Coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You must also beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.” Paul prayed a judicial prayer concerning Alexander the Coppersmith five years later. This became a protracted battle for the Apostle Paul. Affliction did not change Alexander: Paul invoked covenant justice. That is a Biblical judicial prayer, “Bring on him what he has brought on me!” Paul and Barnabus went to Jerusalem probably to pray judicially over Herod. What Herod did to James, God did to Herod. When Paul and Barnabus fulfilled their ministry, after Herod was dead they were released to go back to Antioch. We are beginning to understand what God expects from us as the church. Believers are the ones charged with walking out His will. We are ones facing opposition. Why are we enabling the enemy by consistently turning the other cheek and praying for them and extending their life of destruction? Paul prayed eternal justice on Alexander! The New Testament presents compelling evidence that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! He has not changed! The same God who answered Hezekiah’s prayer, David’s prayer, Peter’s prayer, Paul’s prayer and the early church’s prayers will answer ours. Those who refuse to get out of the way and continue to attempt to steal destiny will face the ultimate Terminator. It is time we ask for the Terminator to visit politicians!