200. Destroy the Enemies
2 Samuel 22:40, 41 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
God promises to subdue my enemies, to place them under my feet, and to destroy them that hate me. For this spiritual warfare He gives me strength for victory. The death of Christ on the cross decisively defeated my spiritual enemies Sin and the Devil. The resurrection of Christ has violently overthrown Death forever. These three enemies still hate me because they hate God, and they still lurk inside me in the flesh, and hang out around me in the world, tempting me to give in and give up.
But we have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has belted me with strength for battle. We may wield the sword of the Spirit by hiding the Word in our hearts, reciting it, confessing it aloud, and singing it joyfully. This is the strength that the Lord gives me for the battle. We put on the spiritual armor and walk in it all day long. Make no mistake: they hate me and they are intent on destroying me, but we have the promise: “I might destroy them.”
I destroy the enemy, but it is really the Lord who does the destroying. Every time I go to church and hear the Gospel, receive absolution, and partake of the Lord’s Supper the Lord destroys the enemies of my life. Every time I spend some time alone with God in the Word and in prayer the Lord destroys the enemies of my life. Every time I engage in Bible study with other Christians, enjoy fellowship, and pray with others enemies are destroyed again. I do not want to ease up on doing such Christian activities or the Enemy gains a foothold and eventually takes advantage. But I have this promise: We, Christ and me, overcome and destroy.