God’s Occasion With Your Enemies

Uncategorized 2 Minutes
“But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had spoken to Moses” (Exodus 9:12).

God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to let his people go, after having them in slavery for over four hundred years. The interesting thing is that the scripture says, that God hardened Pharaoh’s, heart so that he did not listen to Moses. Due to the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart, God sent pestilence and diseases on the land and caused the death of every first born son in Egypt. It is almost as if God had a score to settle with Pharaoh. This was because of all the inhumane treatment, that he handed out to his people for hundreds of years. Despite the years of free labour, now that God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh that it was time to release his people Pharaoh refused. Pharaoh cannot say that God did not warn him before he sent the plagues.

Even after the Israelites were released from captivity, Pharaoh again became hardened and tried to pursue them. “I will make Pharaoh so stubborn that he will pursue them. Then, because of what I do to Pharaoh and his entire army, I will receive honor, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord” (Exodus 14:4). We know how this story ended, as Pharaoh’s army drowned in the Red Sea.

We see another story of God settling the score in the book of Judges, when Samson fell in love with a Philistine woman. His parents disapproved as the Jews were forbidden from marrying the Philistines. “His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel” (Judges‬ ‭14:4‬). On this occasion, God had placed this desire in Samson, because he had a purpose to accomplish. As result of Samson’s love for this woman and the reaction from the Philistines against this, he waged war against them and destroyed their stronghold.

There are battles that we are in the midst of, that God is using as an occasion against the enemy. We know that God loves justice and he hates robbery (Isaiah 61:8). This battle may feel like it is all about you. Could God be using it to exercise justice and judgement over an oppressive system? One thing is certain, that when God is fighting for you, you are guaranteed victory. “Stand still and see the salvation that the Lord will bring you this day against this great army. The Egyptians you see today, you will shall never see again” (Exodus 14:13).

A.P.-Y.

Published by Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession. Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm. I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing. I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.

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