Introductory Thoughts
God certainly works in mysterious ways! At times, in order to bring about His desired plan in the lives of His own people, the Lord strengthens the hands of His enemies. This can prove painful to the people of God but serves as a stark reminder that God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14). He does what it takes to bring His people back into a proper fellowship with Him; however, the situation is never intended to be permanent. God merely waits for the moment when the hearts of His people turn toward Him again. When this happens, the Lord acts swiftly on behalf of His people to destroy that enemy once strengthened for the purpose of chastening His children (Judges 3:15-30). The only delay is the hardness of man’s heart in turning toward the Lord.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Israel should have easily smitten the city of Ai for the people were few in number. Because the children of Israel had sinned, the Lord strengthened the people of Ai (Joshua 7:2-5, 11-12). When the sin was put away, God again gave a great victory to His people (Joshua 8:1).
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(For everyone): Have you ever had a time where you felt as though the Lord enabled your enemies to gain an advantage over you? For what purpose did the Lord strengthen your enemies? Did you ever turn your heart back to following after the Lord?
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Any advantage the enemy gets over you must first be allowed by the Lord. Has your enemy been strengthened against you?
Prayer Thoughts
- Repent before the Lord for anything hindering your fellowship with Him.
- Ask God to show you when He has strengthened your enemy.
Song
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
