For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
Trusting in God’s Protection
We all face moments when we feel attacked, either physically or spiritually. It’s common for us to have enemies or those that oppose us. Yet, through it all, we need to remember that our trust must be in God, who is our protector. He assures us that He has made plans for us, plans that are good and filled with hope. This means that no matter what enemies may arise against us, God is always ready to defend us and provide the protection we need. We can take comfort knowing that God stands guard over us and fights our battles. When we lean on Him, we find strength and courage to face any foe.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. – 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. – Psalm 18:2
Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. – Proverbs 18:10
Overcoming Fear
Me and you, we can often feel overwhelmed by the fear that our enemies instill in us. Whether it’s through words, actions, or thoughts, fear can paralyze us from moving forward. But God’s Word encourages us not to be afraid. We must remind ourselves of God’s promises and His faithfulness in times of trouble. Each of us is called to face our fears with faith. We hold onto the reality that God walks beside us and equips us to overcome all obstacles, including those caused by our enemies. Knowing this can help us face life with confidence and resilience.
Isaiah 54:17
No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. – Isaiah 54:17
Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1
Romans 8:31
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? – Romans 8:31
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. – 1 John 4:4
Praying for our Enemies
As believers, we are challenged to take our response to enemies a step further by praying for them. This might seem difficult, but it reflects the love that God has towards all His creation. We all face challenges from those who oppose or attack us, and instead of retaliating, Jesus invites us to pray for them. When we lift our enemies in prayer, we can seek God’s will in their lives. Doing so nurtures an attitude of forgiveness and helps dissolve bitterness within our hearts. Let’s embrace this call to love and pray, believing that God works in miraculous ways.
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. – Matthew 5:44
Luke 6:28
Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. – Luke 6:28
Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. – Romans 12:14
Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. – Matthew 6:12
James 1:20
Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. – James 1:20
Finding Strength in Scripture
The Bible is a wonderful source of encouragement and guidance. We find reassurance through the words of scripture that God is always present with us. When we feel attacked or our faith is tested, turning to the Word can help us stand firm. It reminds each of us of God’s promises and power to uplift us even in our darkest hours. By immersing ourselves in scripture, we can draw strength and confidence that helps us counter the challenges set before us.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. – Psalm 119:105
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. – Psalm 119:11
Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope. – Romans 15:4
Victory Over Trials
Every battle we face isn’t just an attack against us but a chance for growth and victory. The more we rely on God, the more we will see that He empowers us to triumph even when situations seem hopeless. In Christ, we are assured of victory over our struggles, including any enemies who may come against us. These trials can help shape our character and deepen our faith as we walk with God, who continuously grants us strength to stand firm.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:57
Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. – Romans 8:37
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 16:33
Revelation 12:11
They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. – Revelation 12:11
2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. – 2 Corinthians 2:14
God’s Justice Will Prevail
When we feel attacked, it’s easy to think the odds are stacked against us. But we should remind ourselves that God’s justice is always at work. We are assured that God sees our struggles, and He promises to deliver justice in His perfect timing. Those who come against us will ultimately not prevail because God fights for us. Our faith in God’s justice can bring peace as we trust Him to handle our enemies in a righteous way.
Psalm 37:28
For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. – Psalm 37:28
Isaiah 61:8
For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. – Isaiah 61:8
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8
Romans 12:19
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. – Romans 12:19
2 Thessalonians 1:6
God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you. – 2 Thessalonians 1:6
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on these verses about facing enemies, it’s clear that God stands with us in every situation. We are not alone in our struggles and challenges. Trusting in God’s protection allows us to overcome our fears and anxieties when faced with adversaries. Instead of retaliating against those who oppose us, we can choose to pray for them and turn to Scripture for guidance and strength. Victory is assured when we rely on God’s justice and promises. So, let’s keep building our faith and leaning on the Lord who is our stronghold. Together, we can face any challenge that comes our way with courage and confidence.
If you wish to explore further, check out these topics: Lies of the Enemy and Justice for the Oppressed.