Enemies

 The LORD will save his people and defeat their enemies..

Isaiah 61:2

Who are your enemies? Most Japanese probably regard the leadership of North Korea as enemies. Some don't like Koreans or Chinese all that much, although before Covid, increasingly Chinese tourism was bringing good business to Japan. Some Japanese might regard all foreigners as their enemies, but that's probably only a tiny %. Although nationalists do well here in terms of votes, I don't think I have had a single person in 21 years of living here say they regard all Brits as their enemies. My father, though, it is fair to say, did regard the Japanese negatively, which was not entirely unreasonable as they did nearly succeed in killing him in the 1940s. He felt their unwillingness to respect the Geneva convention during WW2 was unacceptable. Having lived here, I think his failure after the war was not to distinguish between the people and the fascist government at that time, which was very difficult for ordinary Japanese to resist. 

Anyhow, although I wouldn't regard all Turks as my enemies, as I have Turkish friends, (worked with one at Pax Christi) I am extremely happy to see Wales beat Turkey. Erdogan seems to regard France as his enemy for refusing to police free speech regarding Islam, and I certainly don't feel that way. Basically, violent Islamists are my enemies. Although Erdogan isn't exactly a violent Islamist, he isn't exactly free of blood on his hands either. But there you are, Jesus in no uncertain terms asks us to love our enemies & pray for them. May God bless Erdogan, and save him from his sins. Maybe he will see his team draw Switzerland? Have to admit tho, I'll be rooting for the Swiss! ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️