WHAT IS THE SOURCE AND THE RESPONSE TO THE ENEMIES OF THE LORD?

March 12, 2021

They assembled together against Moses and Aaron and said to them, "You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?" When Moses heard this, he fell on his face, and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, "Tomorrow morning the Lord will show who is His, and who is holy, and will bring him near to Himself; even the one whom He will choose, He will bring near to Himself"… "Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to have us die in the wilderness, but you would also lord it over us?" (Numbers 16:3-5, 13)

In the work of God, there are always those who oppose. I have watched countless churches plateau and die because of a man or group of men who fought God's work.

But it is critical for God's leaders to know the source of such opposition. It is always pride that leads to control. Look at the two telling statements with those who rose against Moses:

• "Why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?" (vs.5)  e., "we know better than you how to run things."
• "you would also lord it over us?" (vs. 13) i.e., “we want to be in charge, and we resist your leadership.”

WHAT TO DO

So, how should the man of God respond to this opposition? He must do just as Moses illustrated. "When Moses heard this, he fell on his face." Moses' first response was to pray. He got on his face, physically illustrating that there was one Leader and Moses was utterly submitted to His will. But then He arose and spoke to Korah and all his company, telling them that the next day, God would show them who the leader was. He let God intervene on His behalf.

David would later take this same path with Saul and all of his subsequent enemies. And He discovered that God would fight battles for Him.

Behold, God is my helper. The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. He will recompense the evil to my foes. Destroy them in Your faithfulness. Willingly I will sacrifice to You. I will give thanks to Your name, O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me from all trouble, and my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies. (Psalm 54:4-7)

Cry out to God when you are opposed. Humble yourself before Him and do exactly as He directs. He is a perfect leader.

And always remember this: If you are carefully and humbly leading under God's authority, an ungodly enemy is fighting against the Lord, not you. Moses was right in his evaluation: "Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the Lord."

Don't let any bitterness settle in your heart (you are to love and forgive even your enemies). Get your instructions from the Lord's presence and stand and see the salvation of the Lord.

 

 

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