‘“See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he is my representative, and he will not forgive your rebellion. But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you. ‘ Exodus 23:20-22(NLT)
Exodus 23:20-22 says,
“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.”
Israel’s success in possessing the promised land lay in their obedience. The same is true for us as we endeavor to possess the things promised to us by God.
I like the thought of God being an enemy to my enemies and an adversary to my adversaries, but that hinges on obedience as well.
The difficult thing about obeying God is that it always requires faith. He asks us to do things that sometimes make no sense. Other times He demands that we face seemingly impossible situations armed with nothing but His Word.
But He is faithful. He keeps His promises. And He can be absolutely trusted—in everything and with everything.
So today if you are desiring to enter some aspect of your “promised land”, or if you are faced with difficult or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, listen for His voice, search His Word for instructions, and then obey.
He will be an enemy to your enemies, and you will possess the promises.
from Develop God’s Heart For Others