Importance of Seeing the Defeat of the Enemy

Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses (Exodus 14:30–31, ESV)

The scriptures teach us that we are not wrestling or fighting against human beings but against Satan and his host of demonic spirits. Jesus has crushed Satan and his army once and for all for humanity. The battle was already fought, and the victory is Christ’s, and those who belong to Him. However, the degree to which we enjoy this victory depends on our perception of the enemy. Until you see your enemy defeated, you cannot be at peace. This is illustrated in the story of Israel after they left Egypt.

God had delivered them from Egypt, but Pharoah and the powerful Egyptian army were still alive and well. It would not be out of place to imagine that there was a fear in the hearts of the Israelites that Pharoah would one day come after them. However, when God defeated the powerful Egyptian army in the Red Sea, the Israelites saw the Egyptian army dead on the seashore. They finally saw the enemy defeated. They could then move on to serve the Lord without fear of Pharoah and his army.

We must see our enemy, Satan and his wicked spirits, defeated. You see them by coming to an understanding of Jesus’ victory revealed in the Word. You see in the Word that Satan is crushed. Once you see Satan’s defeat, your fear of him vanishes.

MEDITATE

Why did God ensure that the Israelites see Pharoah’s soldiers dead on the seashore?

APPLY THE WORD

You have to see the enemy dead or defeated; otherwise, his fear will continue to terrorize you. Maybe that enemy is not demons but a disease, fear itself or even poverty. Whatever it is, you have to SEE the enemy defeated on the cross if you are to be free from his fear.