Overcoming the Enemy

Speaking of obstacles, a little perspective is helpful. It is understood that "climbing over obstacles to ride a bike" is insignificant in comparison to other obstacles we have in life. Today I was reminded that "overcoming the enemy" is vastly more important. You might ask, "What enemy?" I refer to this one...

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Sometimes we foolishly forget there is an adversary out there seeking our destruction. We get distracted by the easiness and frivolity of life when it is good. We get consumed with the struggle to cope with life when it is full of trouble. Some of us, sadly, try to run away from this enemy because we fear him and feel that we can not defeat him. In our retreat, he devours us.

His weapons, "...the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life..." (1 John 2:16) are powerful. He is a skillful and mighty foe. Too many times, temptation looks like a bully that's nine feet tall. We should be wary, but we should not lose heart. We should not lose confidence in the almighty God eager to defend us. When confronted, we should stand and face the adversary and challenge him. We should shout, with a clenched fist, a battle cry like that of David...

You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands. (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

...because we remember that the battle is indeed the Lord's.

Let's not allow the enemy defy us any longer. We will not seek to be tempted, but when he comes at us, let's identify him as our adversary. Let's stand up like warriors, "in the name of the Lord of hosts", and face the temptations thrown at us by the enemy. We will not surrender. We will not retreat. We will allow the Almighty to demonstrate His power. With Him, we shall overcome the enemy "that all the earth may know there is a God..."

So be it.