WHY DO OUR ENEMIES TRIUMPH OVER US?
- CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD
- May 21
- 5 min read
Job 14:1-2 - Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.
He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
Psalm 90:7-12 -
7 For we are consumed by Thine anger, and by Thy wrath are we troubled.
8 Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance.
9 For all our days are passed away in Thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11 Who knoweth the power of Thine anger? even according to Thy fear, so is Thy wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Job said that man would live for a few days and those days would be full of trouble. As you reflect on your life, I am sure that you can recall the many problems which you have encountered or is presently encountering. In your moment of distress you may wonder where is God and you cry aloud to Him for help. You often wonder what you have done to deserve such heartache. You look on others and you wonder why they do not have the problems which you are bearing.
Have you ever stopped to analyse situations and identify that your actions have generated most of these problems. Yes, most of our problems could have been avoided if we were obedient to God. We know that sin entered the Garden of Eden and spoilt the perfect world. That is not what I am referring to now. I am talking about how we live our individual life, is it lived in a manner which is pleasing to God? Living for God does not mean that you will not have problems. You will have problems but your situation is different from the ungodly.
There are times when God allows His people to be tested but He stands right beside them in the fire. Job was tested but his faith remained constant. He said ‘for I know that my Redeemer liveth and He will stand on the latter day on the earth. And though worms destroy my body yet in my flesh I shall see God. Job’s trial was a method of assessing his faithfulness to God.
However, this is not so with the unfaithful. Their problems are often generated from their ungodly conduct.
I know that many excuses can be readily given by those who refuse to admit that sin is the cause of their grief. I am asking that you spare a listening ear while I remind you of Joshua’s warning to Israel as given in Joshua 24. In this Scripture Israel was reminded how God had given them victory over their enemies. Verse 10 says’ take heed therefore unto yourselves that ye love the Lord your God. This is saying that only by loving God can we be faithful to Him. Joshua was telling Israel that if the nation forsook God and became involved in idolatry then God will leave them in the hands of the enemies. God desires faithfulness from His people. We cannot behave hypocritically and expect that God will give us victory over our enemies.
Jesus triumphed over death because He was faithful. He is now sitting at His Father’s right hand interceding for us. The devil approached Him but He had to flee because Jesus used the Scriptures and His persistency in holiness to gain the victory. That is why it is essential that we study God’s words. Psalm 119:11states ‘Thy words have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee. The entrance of God’s words in our minds gives us light and set our feet in an even place. The devil knows us by our actions. He recognizes the nominal church goers. To get them deeper into the fire he creates trouble. It is unacceptable to be a lukewarm worshipper. Such worship is distasteful. The Church at Laodicea was told, I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16)
Sometimes God will rescue the disobedient but often He treats us as He treated Israel. He allows us to be held captive by our enemies and watch as we water our beds with our tears. The Israelites paid dearly for their iniquities. While in captivity they ate and drank many unhealthy things. This also happened when God sent famine on them. Even a donkey’s head was sold for a huge sum of money. History tells us how they suffered. It was then that they wanted God to help them. In their distress they called for God but He could not be found. Many of us do the same; we live as we like and die because we cannot avoid it.
There are many who scoff at others who teach that Children of God should not intermarry. However, this is supported in the Scriptures. God repeatedly told Israel that they should never marry outside of their faith. This practice has caused heartache to many and though some may pretend all is well, they are actually living unhappily because of this act of disobedience. This disobedience has led to an high increase in divorce. The result is that there are many persons who have more than one husbands or wives. This is adultery and many are guilty. The children from these unions often get lost in the squabble and some never recover but remain affected in many ways This is not the only act of disobedience there are many more.
A backslider is one who is sitting hypocritically in the Assembly and acting righteous or one who has openly departed from the faith. Backsliders know that their problems began the moment they left God. The question everyone must ask is ‘can I fight my battles and win?
I wish to ask you a few questions. Do you want to get rid of the problems which you have accumulated because of your disobedience. Do you want to conquer your enemies? Do you want a Being who can be a fortress, a guide or spiritual security? If you need the comfort of knowing that a Higher Power is in control of your life you must surrender to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This complete protection cannot be found in oils, powders or any other paraphernalia. It can only be obtained by developing a close relationship with God.
David had problems. Listen to his words. O Lord rebuke me not in thy wrath nor chasten me in thy hot displeasure. David knew that when sin stands between us and God then God will pour out His wrath.
Let us lessen our problems by being obedient to God. Obedience is better that sacrifice.
Writer - A. E. Fisher
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