2 Chronicles 28:6, 19 For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers….For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the Lord.
In the days of Ahaz, Judah lost a huge battle with Israel under king Pekah. The reason given for the slaughter was that Judah had forsaken the Lord. The reason given for such unbelief of the people was because their leader, Ahaz, had transgressed sore against the Lord. Judah had forsaken the Lord because of the sin of Ahaz. Therefore, God brought Judah low. The king failed, the people forget God, Judah was slaughtered.
This progression that led to disaster begins with the wicked king. The writer of Chronicles gives us the real spiritual reason for losing the battle: the sin of the king. He did not lead the people into the true faith and worship of the Lord, but he allowed and promoted idolatry. Faith and unbelief is the cause of the effect.
The real Enemy of God’s people is always looking for sin and unbelief and the uncovering of divine protection to attack and destroy. He finds a hole, a chink, a weakness in our life, and then swoops in. Therefore the Lord reminds us to “Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour [1 Peter 5:8].”
Our response to the presence of enemies is to remain in touch with Jesus by repentance and faith in the gospel and maintaining a prayer covering. We are mindful of God, not forgetful.