In what ways can we trust God to handle our adversaries today? Setting the Scene “So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.” (Isaiah 37:37) One verse—and the invincible Assyrian war machine is suddenly packing up and heading home. No negotiations, no drawn-out siege, no heroic counter-attack from Judah. God simply steps in (see vv. 36-38) and the enemy evaporates. Our Adversaries Today We face opponents of many kinds: • hostile people or institutions • spiritual forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12) • circumstances that feel bent on crushing us The same God who reduced Sennacherib to a footnote stands ready to act for His people now. How God Handles Our Adversaries • Sovereign Intervention – Psalm 46:9 – “He makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth.” – When He decides, the conflict simply ends. • Direct Defense – Exodus 14:14 – “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Sometimes He fights while we watch. • Strategic Frustration – Proverbs 21:30 – “No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can prevail against the LORD.” – God scrambles enemy plans from the inside. • Sudden Reversal – Esther 7:10; Daniel 6:24 – traps set for believers snap back on the adversary. • Ultimate Justice – Romans 12:19 – “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” – Even if vindication waits for eternity, it is certain. Ways We Can Act in Trust • Stand Firm in Faith – 2 Chronicles 20:15 – “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” • Refuse Retaliation – 1 Peter 3:9 – bless, don’t repay evil for evil. • Keep Doing Good – Psalm 37:3 – “Trust in the LORD and do good.” • Pray Honestly – Philippians 4:6-7 – anxiety melts when requests meet God’s peace. • Rest in His Timing – Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage.” An Encouraging Snapshot Think of Hezekiah waking up to silent enemy tents (Isaiah 37:36). Yesterday terror; today deliverance. God didn’t just reduce the threat—He removed it. His track record invites us to trust that: • He hears every prayer (37:14-20). • He knows every threat (37:23-29). • He decides every outcome (37:26). Nothing has changed except the calendar. Summary God can make adversaries withdraw, unravel, or wait for His final judgment. Our role is steady trust, active obedience, and confident expectation that He will handle opposition—whether instantly or ultimately—just as surely as He handled Sennacherib. |
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