RULE IN THE MIDST OF YOUR ENEMIES

DEALING WITH THE ENEMY'S THREATS

The Prayer That Moves The Hand Of God

By Pastor Michael Olawore
New Wine Church, London

Sunday 12 June 2011

Foundation Scripture: 2 Chronicles 31: 20-21; 32: 1-19
We are approaching the third week of Deeper and Higher 2011, our month of prayer and fasting the theme of which is 'Rule in the Midst of Your Enemies' and the account of Sennacherib's invasion of the cities of Judah as told in 2 Chronicles 31 and 32 and Hezekiah's fearless response provides valuable insight into what many of us are facing today.
Sennacherib, King of Assyria came with the purpose of war, in response to which Hezekiah stopped the water springs and brooks which were outside the city, restored the broken city walls and made weapons in abundance in readiness for the battle. Hezekiah also established military captains and encouraged the people that God was with them to fight the battle. Sennacherib responded by sending messengers to announce in Hebrew to the people of Judah that their defeat was certain and dissuaded them from trusting in God as the gods of all the nations he had conquered had been unable to deliver them from the might of his army and the Lord God would be similarly incapable. His intention in addressing the people in this manner was to destabilise and undermine the expectation that God would deliver them.  In embarking upon a 'war of words', Sennacherib aimed at inducing fear, intimidation and ultimately paralysis in the hearts of the people of Judah. This is a reflection of the enemy's on-going strategy in his attempted assault upon believers.
This month we have been looking at God's promise in Psalm 110: 2 that we will rule in the midst of our enemies. In order to do so, we must mastermind and learn to overcome Satan's strategies. In case anyone is not clear, it is without a doubt that we have an enemy: I Peter 5: 8-9 advises us 'be sober and vigilant as our adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour' and similarly, in 2 Corinthians 2: 11 we are encouraged not to be ignorant of the devices of Satan. To be ignorant is to be prepared for a life of defeat and as someone once said, "There is nothing more frightening than ignorance in action".  
It is interesting to note that Hezekiah was at the height of his success when the attack was mounted. He had restored godliness in the land and we are told that 'in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart' and that 'he did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God'.  When there was apostasy and idolatry in the land, the enemy had no interest in him but the point at which he began to succeed in fulfilling the purpose of God, Sennacherib, (the meaning of which is 'Sin sends many brothers), turned up.  From this we can understand that success and significance is often a magnet for the attack of the enemy and therefore when we are doing well, it is not the time to fold our arms in self-congratulation or complacency but to fortify ourselves.
We need not be afraid of the devices of the enemy as we know that the conclusion is that we will rule in the midst of our enemies and therefore when he turns up, it is a good indication that it is time to rule! You must learn to discern the season that you are in and not limit your victory to what you see in the natural but instead, understand that regardless of the situation that you are faced with, you will rule.
The story of Sennacherib and Hezekiah is of such fundamental importance in providing learning opportunities to us that it appears three times in the Bible - On this account, we learned that when the enemy shows up and wants to take over we have a mandate to rule. One thing that is striking about this account is Hezekiah's response; he was no coward but was determined to fight back and he boldly put the necessary arrangements in place to do just that. God has not called us to inertia or surrender - He has called us to stand and fight and refuse to allow the enemy to trample upon us.
Let's look closely at the seven key steps that Hezekiah took in response to Sennacherib's attack:

1. Hezekiah cut off the water supply (2 Chronicles 32: 2-3). This was Hezekiah's first response to the siege, stating 'Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water'. From this we can understand that we must be willing to cut off whatever may be of assistance to the enemy and be careful not to do anything to empower him. When you confess what the enemy wants to achieve in your life you empower him and you can quickly find yourself in partnership with his intentions. Be vigilant to ensure that your thoughts, words and actions do not feed the purposes of the enemy.
2. Hezekiah strengthened himself (2 Chronicles 32: 5). It is impossible to fight unless you are strong. In all likelihood Hezekiah entered the presence of God and ministered to himself, thereby building up his trust, hope and expectation of God's deliverance.  You must not allow your situation to define you, instead turn to the word of God and obtain strength for the battle from His presence.
3. Hezekiah built up the broken walls and fortified the walls (2 Chronicles 32: 5). If broken walls are not repaired and restored, they can easily become an entry point for the enemy. Identify whatever represents a broken wall in your life - whether it is your relationship with God, your prayer life or your study of the word -and embark upon a programme of rebuilding.
4. Hezekiah made weapons and shields in abundance (2 Chronicles 32: 5). Hezekiah was committed to and well-prepared to fight against Sennacherib's assault.
5. Hezekiah set military captains in place (2 Chronicles 32: 6).  There was order, unity and agreement amongst the people of Judah; none broke rank. In the day of adversity it is important to have people who will stand and fight with you. Deuteronomy 32: 30 says 'one shall chase a thousand and two will put ten thousand to flight' - Don't be tempted to fight your battles alone; there is power in unity.
6. Hezekiah encouraged the people (2 Chronicles 32: 7-8). He exhorted them not to be afraid or dismayed  despite the multitude that they were faced with, re-assuring them that "there are more with us than with him" and "With him is an arm of flesh' but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles". Faith rose up in the hearts of the people and they were strengthened. When the enemy strikes, avoid those who will want to hold a pity-party, instead, surround yourself with people who inspire your confidence and build you up. At this juncture, it is important to understand what Hezekiah was faced with: The enemy was trying to undermine the confidence of the people of Judah, addressing them in Hebrew and outlining the many successes of Sennacherib's army and the inability of other gods to save. Sennacherib's boasts and taunts, belittling of the ability of the Lord to save, were aimed to be particularly destructive to the morale of the people who were busily re-building the city walls and in response to this Hezekiah undertook a step that became the key to his ultimate victory...
7. Hezekiah cried out to heaven (2 Chronicles 32: 20). We are told that Hezekiah went before the Lord in prayer and cried out. He poured himself out in prayer and relayed the ridicule of Sennacherib's messenger to the throne of God. When the enemy rises up against you, never forget that it is ultimately an affront to God that you serve and take the matter to Him in prayer. There is a dimension of prayer and crying that no parent can resist. James 5:16 (AMP) says 'The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

Hezekiah's prayers and cries broke through the heavens. We are told that in response, God despatched just one solitary angel to the camp of the Assyrian army whom in one night slew 180,000 of the 200,000 soldiers who were encamped there. As a result, the king of Assyria returned shame-faced to his own land whereas Hezekiah was exalted in the sight of the nations thereafter.
I challenge you therefore to resist the assault of the enemy and refuse to be intimidated by his threats. Understand that the Lord your God is with you to fight your battles. Regardless of how impossible the situation may appear, be assured that those who have plundered you will be plundered and those who advanced against you will return in shame and humiliation.
As you cry out to heaven in this season, know your victory is assured and you will rule in the midst of your enemies!