June 23
THE ENEMY FIRSTHAND
"Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, He
shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come
before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it" II Kings 19:32
Neither did Sennacherib molest the city. He had boasted loudly, but
he could not carry out his threats. The Lord is able to stop the
enemies of His people in the very act. When the lion has the lamb
between his jaws, the great Shepherd of the sheep can rob him of his
prey. Our extremity only provides an opportunity for a grander display
of divine power and wisdom.
In the case before us, the terrible foe did not put in an
appearance before the city which he thirsted to destroy. No annoying
arrow could he shoot over the walls, and no besieging engines could he
put to work to batter down the castles, and no banks could he cast up
to shut in the inhabitants. Perhaps in our case also the Lord will
prevent our adversaries from doing us the least harm. Certainly He can
alter their intentions, or render their designs so abortive that they
will gladly forego them. Let us trust in the Lord and keep His way,
and He will take care of us. Yea, He will fill us with wondering
praise as we see the perfection of His deliverance.
Let us not fear the enemy till he actually come, and then let us
trust in the Lord.