Fear of enemies is a good attribute when it leads us to God. It is good to be able to measure and acknowledge the power of our enemies. It is a leverage to seek God for deliverance and acts as a springboard to fulfilling God’s will. David sought God and said, “Or he will tear my soul like a lion, Dragging me away, while there is none to deliver” (Ps. 7:2). Their power is never to be undermined. We can feel it as we begin to feel overpowered. What can a believer do at such time? Many make a cliché to yield to their enemies. Albeit they count it a weakness or inescapability, it is more of lack of trust in God. They then become slaves to fear, intimidation and sorrow and compel themselves to be content in them. Children of the Almighty God need not adopt a cliché. In times when facing the enemy becomes untenable, God should become our refuge. We are called to be free regardless of who or what we face.
Though on the one hand our enemies’ presence rattles our comfort zone unsettling our souls, on the other hand they indicate we need help. Trust in our Father strengthens us to pray for deliverance and it will come to pass. As we live and work for Him on a daily basis, we encounter various adversaries. In fact, we must expect them, because such is the kind of the world we live in. Rather yielding to them, we must seek God. Through the availed deliverance not only do we benefit, but also God who institutes His purpose through us. He allows us to encounter enemies so that He manifests His power in many ways. When Israel walked out of Egypt, the nations became their enemies for the simple reason of who their God is and what He can do. But it led God to manifest His power both to Israel and the nations; Israel hugely benefitted.
Sometimes being God’s children alone racks up enemies. For our lifestyle build around God’s holiness and righteousness belittles theirs. And when He calls us to His work, we inevitably face enemies. But He works our battles against all our adversaries for good. It is for this reason we should not readily resort to weak and compromising ways. Enemies threaten our way of life, livelihood and existence, yet God is the one who destroys their intentions. Each time we face an adversary and we resort to God it is an opportunity for God to judge wickedness and avail peace. By participating in this process we become workers in His field helping Him fulfill His plan concerning the creation. God sees a bigger picture than us when we encounter adversaries. It includes us and His accomplishments. The book of Esther offers a great deal concerning it. The turn of events was remarkable to say the least.
Nevertheless, we ought to be in a position where God is pleased with our resorting to Him. The following can act as stepping stones for it.
- Do not hesitate. Trust God at all times. There is no better deliverer than Him. Others may seem trustworthy and all-conquering, but anyone other than God has limitations. Israel found out the hard way and we need not have it their way. “Now in that day the remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on the one who struck them, but will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel” (Isa. 10:20). On whomever we rely for deliverance other than God, we will be abused; only with God do we find complete love and justice. Even if one relies on someone else, he will have to come to God, albeit by a longer route. So, why waste time having known the best way for deliverance?
- Do not be foolish. Sin and rebellion against God is the chief reason to lose God’s deliverance. They do not allow us to seek Him. And with no choice loss becomes the only alternative. “He burned the house of the LORD, the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; even every large house he burned with fire” (Jer. 52:13).
- Accept God’s flush outs. Sometimes deliverance from God comes with learning. If we allow the enemy into our hearts and homes by compromise, we are bound to acquire some unwanted traits. God desires to first take away whatever dross there is in us so He can quickly deliver us. He may ask us to do certain things or ask us to take a particular path or to even restrain from doing what may be sociable to our eyes. “For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, So that they will be mentioned by their names no more” (Hos. 2:17). Anything that stands as hindrance His wondrous deliverance He intends to remove first including our half-hearted appeals.