To Defeat Them Tell Them This Story

Joshua 5:1
Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.

We find ourselves in conflict with people whose sole aim is to defeat us and destroy us. We may have offended them. They may be paranoid. They may be people who listen a lot to rumors from sycophants and therefore they have been convinced to come after us. We may have exposed ourselves to them or we may be innocent victims of their diabolic nature. Whatever it is, we must deal with the threat they pose.

You do not have to be wrong and evil to be hated and attacked. The righteous also suffer as if they have committed evil. You can be hated and hunted for no valid reason except that your opponent is convinced that your defeat and destruction will be good for them. The immediate agenda on the table is to address the threat you are facing.

Your life may be threatened. Your career may be threatened. Your reputation may be threatened. Your income and its sources such as business and salary may be threatened. Your relationships with other people may be threatened. Your peace of mind may be at stake. Your job and career progression may be at stake. How do you deal with such an imminent threat?

Romans 12:17
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:19
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Romans 12:20
On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Do not revenge. Do not treat your enemy as they have treated you. Be nice to the enemy as much as possible. Address them politely. Your politeness and kindness to the enemy will not prevent God from raining disaster of punishment on them when the right time comes. For now, let them enjoy the short-term reign of terror, but it won’t be long, you will sympathize with them when God visits them and asks them to account for the terror they spread in your life and the lives of others.

When life is threatened, your first stewardship responsibility is to do everything within the will of God to safeguard your life. Run for your life. Change location. Report to the authorities. Do not stay in the line of fire. Do not pretend to be courageous and consequently put yourself on the path of harm.

Our Bible text today in the book of Joshua tells us that when opponents of Israel heard what God had done for Israel, they lost the courage to fight Israel. When enemies of Israel heard about what God had done, not what Israel had done, but what God did for Israel, they lost the battle against Israel. If you want to defeat your enemies, let them know what God has done for you. Let them deal with your God. Tell them the story of God in your life!

Stories of God in your life are a testimony that whoever comes after you will have to deal with God first. Before getting to Job, satan had to deal with God. Before getting to us, anyone and everyone will have to deal with God. God may be quiet and silent, but in due time, He will address every threat. To defeat them, believe and let them know that they will deal with your God first!

Zechariah 2:8
For this is what the LORD Almighty says: …—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye —

To defeat anyone and everyone, let them deal with your God. Do not confront them. Do not go after them. Let them meet your God. God is able to defeat anyone and everyone who comes after His people. May it be so in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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