Surrounded By The Enemy!

Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.

Memory Verse: Psalm 27:2-3 When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.

At times, I wonder what the feelings would be if we could all read each other’s mind like a book. Would that help us in our decision making when it comes to building friendship? would it help our choices on who to relate and absolutely stop relating with? Would it help us understand how to deal with people better? Would it help us know who our enemies are, the list of “would it” is endless but thank God we have not been made to function in such natural capacity. I can only but imagine how the world would be so disorganised and nothing gets to completion if all control, commands and decisions are in our hands. Everyone would strife, strategize, be a step ahead and the rest alike, removing the sense of neutrality and naturality from the world.

Based on the type of person we are, we are more likely to react differently when we come to certain realisations about our environment and people we are surrounded by. I believe that’s why only God knows the heart of all men because he can handle the aftermath brilliantly. He knows us and who we are surrounded by, He knows our thoughts, our intent and planned actions towards each other; seen and unseen.

For a non-believer, the enemy which is the devil, has nothing to gain, but to the life of a Christian who is routing for God, the devil has lost something precious and an automatic line is drawn between himself and God’s followers, he will do all to lure them away from God. This simply means you are already on opposite sides with the rulers of this world and marked as a target in the enemy’s camp. Temptations will come, tough times will surface, you will get tested, get tried, get persecuted, everything to draw you away. Sometimes it even seems like your life goes through one phase of difficulty to another, but does that mean you live life in fear or walk on egg shells?

Definitely Not! because the Lord has not given you that spirit of fear but that of a sound mind to manage every storm that surface on your life journey. The bible records host of individuals who believed in the Lord and were completely delivered from the hands of their enemies who always appear larger in numbers. This reminds me of the story of Prophet Elijah and the King of Aram. The King was furious at Elijah knowing his secretly planned decisions against the king of Israel and revealing it to Israel’s King. The king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to Dothan for Elijah’s arrest. Though the follower of the prophet was terrified that the enemy came in a big batch and would defeat them, the prophet reassured him that He who is with them is greater than the host of enemies. Elijah prayed and God blind folded the garrison that was formed against him, he came out victorious, II Kings 6:8-23.

Usually the enemy appears like a huge crowd, often armed and ready to pounce, they organise, gang up, their appearance is frightening and like you are unexpectant, it comes to you like a shock; hence the first reaction may be fear because you are human. But be encouraged that God with you is majority. He is bigger than every battalion of enemies fashioned or brigaded against you. Surely they shall always gather and come against you but Christ has said in Isaiah 54:14-17 that he will defeat them.

The enemies you are surrounded by are not designed or trained to pounce when you are ready, they come when your guards are slightly down and that gives them a way in, that’s why the bible warns that as Children of God, we should always be ready. Whiles you are going about life easily, the enemy is always cooking up one thing or another to destabilise your journey in life, but God has a better and bigger plan.

Are your recent trials, attacks or tribulations seeming like they are unending? Have you been relentlessly praying and waiting on God a long time but not getting a desired result or deriving favourable solutions? do not be dismayed, victory time cometh! The strength of those who trust in the Lord is consistently renewed, you will not be weary not faint, you will be victorious in the end over your enemies and celebrate before them. Remember Joseph was hated by his own blood brothers. The supposed family became enemies within. The brothers tormented him, sold him into slavery and fashioned against him unspeakable weapons of resentment which I’m sure Joseph himself struggled to believe in the possibility. But having gone through the trials and tribulations which preceded the hatred, the enemies thought they had finished him, but Joseph came out the winner, a victorious one at that and the household enemies bowed to him in the end, Genesis 37.

As God is your protector, be aware of your environment too. Do not sow seeds of enmity neither should you let your guards down for the enemy to pounce or find a way in. We are all surrounded by enemies, relentless ones who will never give up until we plan to give up on God, but stay strong and wise, out of all their attacks, the Lord is with you, you will come out the winner!

Prayers:

· Father, thank you for being the secret place where I dwell in

· Father continually be my guide and my shield, protect me from the enemies within and without.

· Father heal or destroy every seed of enmity that I have sowed, have mercy o Lord

· Help me from today Lord, bearing and sowing good seeds, loving everyone as you have commanded and hating no one.

· Thank you, Father for the forgiveness of sins and answers to prayers, In Jesus name I Pray, Amen

Have a productive day and stay blessed.

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