Seven Things to Remember as seen in Deuteronomy – Part 6

The fifth thing God had Moses remind the people of was that they must remember their enemies.

Deuteronomy 25:17
“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt.”

At first glance we could use this advice to justify our bitterness and our desire for revenge. This is not what this admonition says to us. We must never isolate verses and use them to justify our bad behavior and sin. Deuteronomy 32:35 eliminates any idea that the Jews were to be the administrator of revenge as God says, “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.” Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30 quote this command in the New Testament as well, and it has been wisely said that when God repeats something three times it is extremely important. Revenge is not what Christians must be about.

Then why does God want Israel to remember their enemies? For the same reason, we must; to be prepared when the enemy attacks.

The Christian life is not a peaceful existence while we are on this earth and in this life. The Bible is replete with military metaphors. We have an enemy and we are at war.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

So just like the Israelites, we must remember that we have an enemy. The best way to defeat an enemy is to know him. We must understand his ways, his tactics, and his motive. Satan wants to devour us.

The good news for Christians is found in Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. 1 John 4:3-4 reminds Christians that “…every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 

Our Savior has already defeated the devil.

We can also find comfort in knowing that Satan does not have free reign to do whatever he wants to us. The Book of Job makes it clear; anything we face that the devil throws at us has been allowed by God. So the real question is will we trust our God to bring us through it?

1 Corinthians 10:13
 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Ignore the devil? Do not. Remember he is your enemy. Remember and prepare for battle putting on your spiritual armor. Ephesians 6:10-11 says “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”  

Stand firm in the power of the Great Shepherd, Jesus.