There has been constant conflict throughout the history of God’s people. From the very beginning, Cain rose up against his brother, Abel, and murdered him. There has been continual conflict between the Kingdom of God and Satan’s empire ever since. And the conflict between kingdoms continues today. In the last days Satan is fighting against the church like never before.
Time after time as God’s people encountered an enemy, God has shown Himself strong on their behalf and delivered them. God always makes a way for those who trust His Word to triumph in the battles they face. He will reveal Himself mightily to those who will choose to follow Him closely. God’s people are beginning to recognize Him as their strength and source of supply.
The psalmist David experienced and understood the delivering power of the Lord. He faced many enemies and became one of the most powerful witnesses in human history of God’s delivering power. When we trust and rely on our own human ability, we are unable to even see when God sends good things into our lives. Notice Jeremiah 17:5-6:
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives'” (NIV).
Those who trust and rely on human ability have no hope for their future. They will be unfruitful and be unable to see when God sends them prosperity. On the other hand, notice what happens when we put our trust in the Lord:
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit” (vv. 7-8).
Notice the difference in the results of those who trust the Lord and those who trust in human ability. Not only are they unaffected by the heat and drought, but they never cease to produce fruit. The truth is, in pressured situations, the results are determined by who we trust. These choices affect our prosperity.
Many times we may fail to look to Him because we are so consumed with the battle that we get caught in a habit of trying to fix things ourselves. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” When we look to the Lord and acknowledge His ability and willingness to fight on our behalf He will prove Himself mighty in our situation.
Remember this: when we make His enemies our enemies, He will make His victory our victory.
