The Hammer

The valley gets to be a lonely place at times. And it's in those lonely times our enemies - the predeators in the valley - come at us and we either give in to them or we are overcome by them. So what's a sheep to do?

God gives us a clue in Exodus 14:13-14. After the Israelites - valley experiencers in their own right - see the Egyptian army coming at them like screaming banshees and begin whining and crying to Moses about how they are going to die (this is my version) Moses looks at them in his best Charlton Heston imitation and tells them to stand firm. STAND FIRM!? They are about to get overrun like Custer at Little Big Horn and they are supposed to STAND FIRM!? What's going through this guys mind, if he has one?

I'll tell you what's going through his mind, the same thing that went through his lips - "stand firm and watch the Lord fight for us." He knew that if they didn't run, if they didnt' try to take on the Egyptians in their own power, that God - Deliverer God - would once again deliver them from the enemy. Moses was confident in his God's ability to protect them, fight for them, and bring victory to them.

God will do the same for us - IF we let him. He WILL fight for us. First, we must, like the Israelites identify the enemy. What's your enemy?

Here are a few of mine:

• Impatience - "Let's get it on!"
• Self-Reliance - "I can, and will, make this happen"
• Pride - "It's not my fault"
• My Way - "I want to do my way"
• Arrogance - "I've got it all figured out"

So. . .I ask again, what are some of your enemies? Maybe they're like mine. Maybe yours include doubt, fear, confusion, loneliness, discontentment. Maybe your enemy is only something you know about and can't even put into words. To be honest, it doesn't matter, surrender it to God. Only He can bring victory into your life - if you let him.

Second, don't try to take on the enemy yourself - you will lose, I know from experience. And don't run, your enemy will only catch up to you and overtake you. Like the Israelites, STAND FIRM!, and allow the God who delivers to swing the hammer of victory and watch Him crush the enemy.

Watchin' from the Front Lines,
Mike