Out Our Way: 'The enemy of my enemy'

Out our way, one sometimes finds unusual friends. Take Jack and Goliath or example. Up in the Bear Paws were we used to camp, Jack could be a major pain where the horses were concerned. Good old Goliath, who is so patient with me, really found Jack, the Rez dog, annoying.

Jack somehow got the idea that horses are big play mates and that Goliath was someone he could tease. He would bark at him, nip at his heels, stand in front, tail wagging and dare Goliath to come get him. Goliath usually tried ignoring him, but sometimes even patient Goliath had had enough. Then he would lay his ears back and come at Jack with teeth bared. Jack thought it was wonderful fun.

When we went out on some back trails on a friend's private property, Jack ran alongside and any time he got close Goliath would take a swipe at him with a hind leg or, if I wasn't watch too closely, swing his head down and lunge at him.. But Jack always managed to see it coming, jump aside, and then continue trotting beside us with his tongue out and that silly smile of his on his face.

Now our friend had some logging roads on his property and opened a locked gate for us to ride in a new section of the hills we had never been in before. There was a great deal of brush, high grass and stands of trees all over the place, for no one had logged here for several years. And sometimes the foliage got somewhat dense - especially in those areas where the undergrowth had not been cleared away for quite some time.

As we were trotting along, Goliath suddenly stiffened - head up - ears up - eyes extra wide. Although I could see or hear nothing, Goliath and Babe both sensed something in the brush. So did Jack, whose fur bristled and his ears laid back - and with a deep growl, he began heading toward the brush. Now in that country I ride with a .45 because there are mountain lions in the area. From time to time we will see their tracks down by the creek bed near the camp - and some nights they will let you know they are around with a rather eerie wail. It does tend to make you nervous when you know they are around.

As some of you may recall, Goliath and I had an experience just east of town some time back when a lion came across the pasture while I was currying "Old Doc." Goliath was acting very strange that day - very stiff - head up, ears up, eyes wide. And I looked over his back and there was that cat watching us about 100 feet away. That is when I decided to purchase a revolver for riding in the Bear Paws on open land. Normally I loaded 5 rounds and set the hammer on the empty chamber; but of course that day, I had left my pistol in the truck.

There was some loud barking - rustling on the grass as Goliath began to dance in anticipation of running for his life - when Jack came trotting out with that big stupid grin on his face - and immediately Goliath softened. I don't know what was out there - mule deer, stray calf, or a big cat - but whatever it was, Jack ran it off. And from that time on, Goliath sort of decided Jack was all right.

There is an old proverb that says, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Clearly, Goliath and Jack's new friendship supported that point of view. It is not a bad thing to keep in mind for us human beings as well, for Jesus surely thought that those who fought against the darkness were with Him on the same side, while those who supported the darkness, either actively or by simply allowing it to go unchecked, were playing for the other team - regardless what "uniform" they were wearing.

Back in seminary, I remember discovering this simple fact - "you can't serve God using the devil's weapons." There are many historical accounts of people claiming to do the work of God and to be on the side of righteousness - who ended up doing more harm than good, and thus actually helping the other side. Satan loves it when "Christians" feel they are permitted to lie, deceive, delude, cheat and steal for a "good cause." The old "ends justify the means" philosophy is one of those lies of the devil that, despite being demonstrated to be false and counter productive time after time, people still fall for.

Jack proved to be Goliath's friend because he was "Snagglepuss's" enemy. The enemy of God's enemy is God's friend. Even if you are a straggly old Rez dog like Jack. I guess there's hope for us all.

(John Bruington is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre.)