LET GOD ARISE

Numbers 10:35 “And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, O Jehovah, and let thine enemies be scattered.”

The story was told of a little boy named Tommy. Tommy was in the fourth grade and he walked to school. Everyday on his way home, a group of eighth grade boys would torment him. They threatened him. They pushed him down. They knocked his books all over the sidewalk. This went on for several weeks. It got so bad that poor little Tommy didn’t even want to go to school any more.

One evening, while lying in bed, Tommy prayed. “Dear Lord, I am so tired of these bullies. Tomorrow, I’m fighting back. I would really appreciate it, if you would show up.” The next day, just like every other day, the bullies showed up to push around Tommy. This would be the last day that those bullies ever confronted Tommy, though. He hung his back pack on the gate next to him, he balled up his fist, and he closed his eyes. He was taking a stand. What he didn’t know, was that his back pack has pushed open the gate door of a yard that was the home of a very large Doberman. When Tommy opened his eyes he saw the bullies running down the street with the Doberman chasing close behind.

Perhaps you have felt like Tommy. Maybe you have felt ganged up on. Day after day you find yourself pushed around by life. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could close your eyes for just a minute and when you opened them again, your problems would be gone? Although God does not promise us a life free of trouble, he does ensure us of moments when he will scatter his enemies.

Our scripture indicates to us that there can be times when God moves and his enemies flee. You see, as Moses made the call “Rise up, O Jehovah”, it was a call for the Israelites to pick up camp and move. The tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant (which was God’s manifest presence) were moving. The cloud that led the children of Israel was changing locations. If God’s people were to remain within the blessings of God, they had no choice but to pack up and move after it. It wasn’t always convenient, but it was necessary in order for them to progress forward and be closer to God’s Promised Land.

Moses undoubtedly knew that there would be enemies out there that intended to stop their forward progress. They were enemies that wanted to keep them at bay. But God was moving and he would scatter his enemies. It was up to the Israelites to follow.

In our lives today, we will encounter enemies and the closer we get to God’s promises the more clearly we will see them. They will stand in an attempt to block you from your calling, from your peace, from your joy. But, just like in the wilderness, God will rise up. He will move. The question is, when God moves, do you have the faith to follow? Will you press on even when you can see your enemies? No matter what they may be, whether the enemies are in your home, on your job, in your emotions, etc. When God moves, they will scatter. If we follow after him, he will clear the path. Keep walking. Keep moving. It’s the only way to get through.