Confronting the Enemy

The battle to win the Promised Land did not end after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, or when Jericho’s walls fell down. The battle continued for years.

The Israelites faced people who lived in the land and seemed to have every advantage. They knew every hill and stream. They had developed strongholds and weapons, and trained battle-tested warriors.

One major challenge came from Hazor, an important city strategically located in northern Canaan. As the Israelites approached, Hazor’s king called together a coalition of cities to confront Israel with horses and chariots, and “they covered the landscape like the sand on the seashore.”

Faced with such massive opposition, it would have been easy for the Israelites to be afraid. But in spite of the advantages of their opposition, Israel was victorious; all of these cities were “utterly destroyed.” This only was possible because they embraced the conflict, trusting in God.

In similar ways, we may be opposed by powerful forces. By people who seem to have every advantage. We may have problems that don’t seem to have any solutions. Faced with these challenges, it can be easy to be timid or afraid. To be discouraged or filled with doubt.

In these moments, we need to remember that God is with us and has given us everything we need to win. But we must be careful to move forward with His blessing, always obeying His Word. To pray and seek His wisdom. To continue acting in faith, confident in Him.

In your life, don’t run away from opposition or give in to fear. Instead, renew your faith in God. Stand on His Word, and declare His promises to be true for you. Pray and resist the powers of darkness. Be confident that God is with you.