II Chronicles 20:12

Foes…we all have them. Whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual they cause conflict and opposition in our lives. Some are more dangerous than others. At times our foes leave us bewildered and confused as they actively oppose and resist what God has for our lives. At other times they are determined to injure or overthrow us completely. They do not just want to inflict pain…they are intent to do harm and can be deadly.

In II Chronicles 20 we see a case of God’s people coming up against their foes. The people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir were about to wage war against them threatening to throw Israel out of the land that God had given to them as an inheritance. (II Chron 20:10-11) The first thing that King Jehoshaphat did was seek the Lord. He also declared a fast throughout all Judea and the people from all of the cities come to unite with him and to ask for help from the Lord.

The king knew that Israel had no power against this great multitude that is about to attack; he also had no plan or course of action. So, after reminding God of His faithfulness in times past, this king threw up his hands by making the declaration…"nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."

Here we are God. We are right where You put us…in the place You brought us to. The heat of the battle would seemingly blind us and burn us up or out, but we choose to stay with You. It does not really matter who, what or when, we find our position to be in Your Presence and know You will hear our cries and deliver us once again.

You see, they were not being threatened by an enemy they had not faced before. These enemies were people that God had not let Israel invade when they came out of Egypt. God had told His people to avoid them altogether and now here they were breathing threats that they appeared to be able to make good on. They were "familiar foes" that God had obviously saved for a later test.

Have you ever been confronted by a "familiar foe?" One of the things that can make a battle so ferocious is facing a "familiar foe." Perhaps a disease thought conquered returns, a habit thought kicked rears up its ugly head, or feelings of rejection bypassed and thought to be by gone speak threats against a whole heart and sound mind. These are but a few of the familiar foes we face. They come against us bringing fear and intimidation, doubt and depression, hopelessness and despair. Yet we have a way out…we can walk past the problem straight into the Arms of Our Father if we will turn our worry into worship and position ourselves with praise. I know it is easier said than done but it is not an option, it is key to our survival, our only position, and the prerequisite to God’s provision.

The king and the people could have paced back and forth wringing their hands in worry. They could have tried to run and hide but that would not have conquered the problem. There was only one thing that they could do and that was to come to the end of themselves quickly crying out "O God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."

These were seasoned warriors, might men of valor, and conquerors, but at that moment the realization of their current position paved the road for God’s provision. Their "familiar foes" were too much for them and they knew it. We have no power; we don’t know what to do…these are not statements of weakness and failure. They are the cries of the child of God to the Father--Who is the Power, the Answer, and Who must be the focus when we face our "familiar foes." The longer we look at the opposition the bigger it grows. We know full well what the ugly enemy looks like already so there is no point in wasting precious time looking at him. Our eyes must be upon God. We do not just look to Him for answers we look to Him for deliverance.

If you are being threatened by a "familiar foe" today, all the answers in the world will not bring deliverance. That is something only Almighty God can do. Look to Him. Focus upon the Father. He is Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider. Hear Him speak again the words spoken to those who assembled with Jehoshaphat that day "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s." The battle is Whose? It is God’s. We do not have to have the battle plan because it is not our fight. Realize that your position is to humbly rely on His provision for every single battle you will ever face.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your Word and for every bit of truth and encouragement we can glean from it. Many of us are facing "familiar foes" this very moment. In the past they had posed a threat but You led us around them. Now, they are coming and threatening us and because they are numerous it would almost seem that we have lost the battle before we have begun. Help us to KNOW that it is not sin or a sign of weakness to cry out to You. Our minds are boggled and we cannot even begin to formulate a plan. We do not know what to do…but Father, at this very moment take our eyes off of these "familiar foes" and fix them on You.

We stand on Your promises to be Our Provider and Our Provision. As we lift our voices up to You we also lift our hands in surrender to Your will and purpose as we face our "familiar foes." We look to You today for deliverance---You are able and in advance we want to thank You for Your unfailing faithfulness and love.

In Jesus Name’

Amen! Amen!

Copyright 2002 by Melinda Lancaster