Kingdom Building in the Meantime

Crush the Enemy

I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him. My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him. The enemy will not get the better of him; the wicked will not oppress him. I will crush his foes before him and strike down his adversaries. My faithful love will be with him, and through my name his horn will be exalted.

—Psalm 89:20–24 NIV

Have you noticed that when things are good and steady in your life, conflict suddenly comes to knock you out? We believers occasionally forget, although Jesus died for our sins and promised us eternal life after we accept salvation, that our lives will surely have their share of trials and tribulations. As many of us can attest, being laid off, foreclosed on, widowed, walked out on, or gossiped about does not feel good. Those of us who read and study the Word of God sometimes overlook the line that reads, “Indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:17 NKJV). I certainly do not recall seeing Jesus in the flesh suffering beside me years ago when I was terminated from a previous job. But why not shift our collective perspective from that of a forlorn victim to one of a dearly-loved child?

We are not aware of the constant attacks and assassination attempts the Enemy daily makes on our lives. We are relieved when a careless driver looks up and sees us in the crosswalk moments before what could have been an accident. But I can only fathom how active and embattled the angels assigned to protect us are each day. The small near misses we are allowed to experience pale in comparison. I honestly do not want to know the details of each near-death experience I have unknowingly been rescued from. We wake up each day with new mercies (Lamentations 3:22–23). God’s arm of protection constantly covers and shields us. His promises surround us.

The trials that come and sometimes rock us to our cores are actually faith-building and character-refining opportunities meant to lead us into promise. I am reminded of Joseph, whose life is recounted in the book of Genesis, chapters thirty-seven through fifty. Joseph was loved and doted on by his father. The Lord revealed himself to Joseph while he was a teenager. God showed him that he would be great and play a mighty role in His plan. At the same time, however, Joseph’s brothers hated him, plotted to kill him, sold him into slavery, and abandoned him. Large purpose (promise) often comes after enduring Hades on earth.

But God was with Joseph, just as He is with you. In his Hades-like situation, Joseph was still favored by God and, accordingly, was purchased by one of Pharoah’s officials. The official even realized that God was with Joseph and because of that appointed him as steward over everything he owned. Life was good for Joseph, and yet another life challenge came. He was lied about and placed in prison. But God remained faithful to Joseph and the promise He made for his life. Egypt’s prison warden elevated Joseph because of his relationship with God. The warden appointed Joseph over all of the prison’s affairs. Who else but God will make your prison your paradise?

I was just faced with a Joseph-type situation. But God is good! Exactly two weeks ago, I was laid off from my job. The day before, God revealed to me that it was going to happen. I woke up the next morning, logged into work, submitted my final invoices, typed my goodbye email, and waited for the phone call. My supervisor called me; I answered the phone in my usual upbeat, joy-filled manner. He was apologetic and saddened to share the news with me. I was fine. I cheerfully thanked him and wished him an awesome day. After hanging up, I pressed “send” on the email I had prepared, logged out, and ended my work day. I did not and have not called anyone to share the news. I know and love the God I serve. He has definite plans for my life, and they are not of harm, but of hope and an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).

The meantime is all about perspective, attitude, and obedience. It is our time to crush the Enemy and display God well to others. I do not recall Joseph being depressed, complaining to others, questioning God, failing to step out on faith, or giving up on His purpose. Instead, he behaved as God created him to behave. He worked by using his gifts. Take that, Devil! I am following that same example. I was offered and accepted a position three business days before I was laid off. I now serve as the director of program administration for a local nonprofit organization. Before the layoff, I assumed this was a second job and was therefore an opportunity to earn additional income. But God already knew what was coming and made provision in advance. He placed me in a specifically tailored role for my gift. While the current position pays substantially less than what I was earning, I trust God to make up the slack. He has done it before and promises to do it again. I continue to serve Him in the meantime.

Are you like me? I love it when God kicks butt and allows us to see Him in action. It reminds me of the old Batman television show. When Batman and Robin fought their adversaries, the words “Pow,” “Bam” or “Boom” came across the television screen as their blows landed on their foes. Joseph’s endurance and commitment to his meantime tasks led him to purpose (promise).

Joseph became second in command and ruled alongside Pharaoh. Karate chop!

He saved a nation from famine. Jab!

He introduced others to God. Uppercut!

He blessed his enemies. Sucker punch!

He forgave his brothers. Headlock!

He restored his familial relationships. Drop kick!

And he was reunited with his father. Death grip!

Joseph’s foes were defeated. His performance, with God’s help, was a spiritual total knock out (TKO). He achieved his purpose and received God’s promise. I am looking forward to the same result.

What stands out is Joseph’s resolute faith in God, his unending compassion for others, and his willingness to show forth God’s glory while standing on his yet-to-be-fulfilled promise. We must model this example in our meantime season. Genesis 50:30 (NIV) reads, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” What Joseph’s enemies meant for evil, God turned for his good and the saving of lives. What a powerful testimony! Whose life will you save in pursuit of promise? I dare you to crush the Enemy on the way.

Be Still, Be Open

Read and reflect on Psalm 89:20–24. Answer the questions provided below.

Do today’s devotion and biblical text references affirm for you God’s faithfulness?

List the big and small ways God continues to demonstrate to you His unfailing love and divine protection.

Are you motivated to crush the Enemy?

List the steps you will take this week and throughout the remainder of your meantime season to do so.

Journal your experiences this week.

Lord, I promise

Dear God, You truly are mighty and reign supreme. Words cannot express how awestruck I am by You. Why You love me so much, I surely will never know. I am humbled and blessed to have You as my Father. Thank You for continuing to overlook my faults, for placing within me this seed, and for creating opportunities for me to succeed. Lord, I am ready and ask that You continue to walk alongside me in this season. Give me direction. I am determined to fulfill the purpose You have for me. I am committed to kicking butt in pursuit of my divine promise. I am taking this leap! Together we will crush the Enemy. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.