A foe is an enemy or opponent, sometimes an oppressive force against us. The Lord hears us when we cry out to Him, and He sees all the injustices of the earth. He encamps around His saints and offers them defense in times of distress. He delivers us from liars and those who oppose us; their deceitful tongues are no match for the strength found in the Lord. Give Him all your battles and refrain from trying to fight them in your own strength. "The battle belongs to the Lord." (1 Samuel 17:47)
God’s role, as clearly stated in the Bible, is this: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. (Romans 12:19) Don’t be tempted by the flesh or the enemy to take matters into your own hands. Rest in the Lord, and He will avail you.
Seek the Lord with everything you are and everything you have. When you're in a battle, whether with the enemy or with human hands, lift up your eyes; your help comes from the Lord. "I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2) Don’t try to fight your battles in your own strength. Who would you rather fight your corner—your own strength or the One who made the heavens and the earth?
Such amazing promises come from the Lord: "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither sleep nor slumber." (Psalm 121:3-4) Remember this verse when you are tempted to fight your own battles or when you are tempted to anger. The Lord holds the power, and He knows all things in all circumstances and situations.
Keep your cool over what you cannot control; do not give way to your anger. The Lord is your Keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore (Psalm 121:5-8)
Do you trust the Lord for all things? When we think of trusting in the Lord for all things, we naturally think first about provision and the sustaining of life. But do we also trust Him with our battles? Do we trust that we can pray to Him with our heavy hearts as we go through the storms of life? The flesh wants to test us and tempt us to anger, but the Bible commands us to be slow to anger. "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-20)
Anger is a difficult emotion to contain when an injustice has been done, but this is when faith steps into action—faith in God and His willingness and ability to fight for us.
God is a loving Father, and He protects His children. "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3)
Injustice is hard to deal with, but the good news is we don’t need to let it take root as bitterness in the heart. Bitterness only contaminates our hearts and minds—a space that should be preserved only for God’s word and love. The enemy wants nothing more than to sow discord in our lives and create strife against God’s people—whether by circumstances or through men, or both. But we must stand by the commandments of God. Give it all to God before it takes root. If left to fester like a disease, it can be hard to uproot.
Practical Measures
What practical measures can we take when we find ourselves in such a situation? First, pray to God. Give it all to Him, and He will not forsake you; He always keeps His promises. But Jesus also gives us a command to follow concerning our enemies. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:43-44)
A Prayer
Father, I come before You today, grateful for Your protection and the promises You give us. I lay down my battles, knowing that the fight is Yours and not mine. Help me to trust You fully and to remember Your strength in times of distress. Guide me in being slow to anger and quick to forgive, just as You forgive me. Help me love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me, trusting that You are my defender. Thank You for being my Keeper and my refuge. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Memory Verse
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. (Psalm 121:7-8)
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