06202026 Enemies

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our unconquerable Defender. No one can defeat God. We humans are less competent. There are enemies in this world, and we do face them, and they can be daunting.

In the past months, I have been looking at verses corresponding to the current date. This week as I looked at 6:16 verses, I realized how many of them have to do with enemies. Will you humor me in this totally unconventional Bible study?

One truth is that we can be our own enemies when we resist God and His plan. The Israelites did this more than once, and Moses reminds them of one example. “Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah” (Deuteronomy). Paul repeatedly warned his readers of the danger or embracing the enemy – of choosing and clinging to the very things that they should be avoiding and opposing. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans). “What? Know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? For two, saith he, shall be one flesh” (I Corinthians). “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (II Corinthians). This type of association is a deliberate choice of what God has warned us against, sometimes an obstinate rebellion against what is best for us. “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein" (Jeremiah).

A sad reality about enemies is that they can rise up from the people that we least expect. This happened to David with one of his wives. “And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart” (II Samuel). It also happened to our Savior. “And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor” (Luke).

The Bible records many stories of God’s deliverance from enemies. God gave victory to Israel at Jericho. “And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city” (Joshua). God gave victory to Gideon. “And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man” (Judges). In the rebuilding of the temple, God gave victory over those who opposed. “And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy” (Ezra). He did the same in the rebuilding of the wall. “And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God” (Nehemiah). God gave victory to the disciples when they faced a life-threatening storm at sea. “And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea” (John). These stories remind us that the victory comes from God.

God is not to be trifled with, and many enemies of God have been bowed before Him and have even stood in absolute dread of Him. “And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day” (I Samuel). “But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead” (Mark). “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of God” (Revelation).

Some people’s eyes have been opened to see in a special way the remarkable ability of God to defeat His enemies. One of the outstanding examples is when Elisha and his servant were surrounded by a Syrian army. The enemy was fierce, but Elisha knew they were no match for God and His army. “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings). Even the pagan king Darius realized that God could not be defeated. “Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (Daniel).

God gives us all that we need to face our enemies. Among His provision is our faith in the Word of God. Faith in the truth can send the enemies fleeing and can slash them to pieces. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians). Whether your current battle is against Satan and spiritual forces, against people who oppose God’s work, or even against yourself, may God give you the victory through His power and through His Word. There are no enemies too strong for God.

Thanks to those who prayed and expressed concern regarding my recent surgery. I am gradually improving. In the past few days in particular, I am starting to feel more back to normal and am optimistic about the week ahead.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA