Look out for the Enemy!

Encouragement from Elisabeth Elliott

"The Psalms are full of prayers to God to defeat adversaries-nations, foes, enemies. The Lord of hosts (also translated the Lord of the armies of heaven) is called upon to arise and conquer. People who live in a country not at war may tend to skip over such prayers as not applicable to them, unless they recognize as an adversary anything or anyone that would defeat the purpose of God.

The peoples shake their heads at us;...

I am covered with shame....

But we do not forget Thee,...

We have not gone back on our purpose....

Bestir Thyself, Lord; why cost Thou sleep?...

Arise and come to our help;

For Thy love's sake set us free.

(Ps 44:14,15,17,18,23,26 NEB)

If it were not for the adversaries who make us conscious of our impotence, how would we learn to trust God's omnipotence?"

By: Elisabeth Elliott
To read the entire devotion click here.

We are in great danger of becoming comfortable in our daily lives if we do not recognize the enemy. I think the last two lines show the importance of knowing the enemy and praying for deliverance. As the wise woman says, anything that attempts to destroy the purposes of God is the enemy. Watch out for the enemy - He could be anywhere!