Your Enemy has Purpose

None of these things move me (Acts 20:24).

“We read in the book of Samuel that the moment that David was crowned at Hebron, ‘All the Philistines came up to seek David.’ And the moment we get anything from the Lord worth contending for, then the devil comes to seek us.

When the enemy meets us at the threshold of any great work for God, let us accept it as "a token of salvation," and claim double blessing, victory, and power. Power is developed by resistance. The cannon carries twice as far because the exploding power has to find its way through resistance. The way electricity is produced in the powerhouse yonder is by the sharp friction of the revolving wheels. And so we shall find some day that even Satan has been one of God's agencies of blessing.”

--Days of Heaven upon Earth
“A hero is not fed on sweets,
Daily his own heart he eats;
Chambers of the great are jails,
And head winds right for royal sails.”
--Emerson

“Tribulation is the way to triumph. The valley-way opens into the highway. Tribulation's imprint is on all great things. Crowns are cast in crucibles. Chains of character that wind about the feet of God are forged in earthly flames. No man is greatest victor till he has trodden the winepress of woe. With seams of anguish deep in His brow, the "Man of Sorrows" said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation"--but after this sob comes the psalm of promise, ‘Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.’

The footprints are traceable everywhere. Blood-marks stain the steps that lead to thrones. Sears are the price of scepters. Our crowns will be wrested from the giants we conquer. Grief has always been the lot of greatness. It is an open secret.

The mark of rank in nature.
Is capacity for pain;
And the anguish of the singer
Makes the sweetest of the strain.

Tribulation has always marked the trail of the true reformer. It is the story of Paul, Luther, Savonarola, Knox, Wesley, and all the rest of the mighty army. They came through great tribulation to their place of power.

Every great book has been written with the author's blood. "These are they that have come out of great tribulation." Who was the peerless poet of the Greeks? Homer. But that illustrious singer was blind. Who wrote the fadeless dream of "Pilgrim's Progress"? A prince in royal purple upon a couch of ease? Nay! The trailing splendor of that vision gilded the dingy walls of old Bedford jail while John Bunyan, a princely prisoner, a glorious genius, made a faithful transcript of the scene.

Great is the facile conqueror;
Yet haply, he, who, wounded sore,
Breathless, all covered o'er with blood and sweat,
Sinks fainting, but fighting evermore
Is greater yet.”
--Selected

On more than one occasion, I have written about the principle of process – admonishing believers to apprehend the fact that there can be no obtainment of the promise without there first being an endurance of the process. It is tantamount that we understand that the attainment of our destiny is not achieved through mysticism and wishful thinking. It is obtained through process. This process has rare moments of quietude and comfort, but they are not our permanent position – rather being a time of recovery and reward. The vast majority of our progression is filled with friction and resistance.

When you observe any of the faith warriors of the Bible, you will find that their greatness was preceded by turbulence, acrimony, and malevolence. Their lives were continuums of resistance and perseverance. It is in the storms of turmoil and disquietude that you gain the strength to walk in your purpose. It is in the deepest tribulation that impeccable and unwavering character is developed, nurtured and fortified.

Dr. Rick Wallace

What is amazing is that God will often times use the assaults of the enemy to accomplish His developmental work in His people. It is not coincidence that as you begin to rise, the devil appears. Resistance provides the force necessary to lift you to new heights. Ascension is the result of engaging resistance instead of fleeing from it. If you want to take flight you must turn into the wind.

The enemy will come, but you must understand that His presence does not spell out your demise. It simply provides the resistance necessary for you to rise above the clouds of mediocrity to soar in the sphere of greatness. It is that simple. 

We were not designed to circumvent the vicissitudes of life, nor were we designed to wallow in the valley of despair. We were designed to engage every difficulty that we encounter with a radical faith that believes no weapon formed against us – no matter how atrocious and intimidating it may seem – will prosper. We are to hold fast our faith that we are children of God and that even the darkest moment is working for us a far more exceeding weight in glory. However, we must not take the defeatist approach that our only victory will come in eternity – we were built to win and take ground in this life.

Do not become discouraged at the arrival of the enemy, he is of great use. The machinations of the enemy will not bear fruit for evil, but will serve to lift you to greater heights. ~ Dr. Rick Wallace

Check out some additional resources by Dr. Rick Wallace 

1. The Invisible Father: Reversing the Curse of a Fatherless Generation - Dr. Wallace examines the destructive force of absentee fatherhood in America from a biblical Perspective

2. Renewing Your Mind: The Dynamics of Christian Transformation - Dr. Wallace discusses the power of your thought process to completely transform your life

3. Elevation through Revelation - This book was written to encourage and inspire you as you travel through life.

4. When Your House is Not a Home - Dr. Wallace engages the enigmatic issues that face marriage in America -- from a biblical perspective.

5. The Power of Healing Affirmations -- This short book goes straight to the matter of how you word and thought affect healing in your life. (A must read)

Blogs

1. 100 Men of Purpose -- Encouraging and teaching men to rise up in their God ordained design

2. Master Fitness 21 -- This site focuses on believers living healthy lives spiritually and physically

3. Anointed Inspirations -- A little something to get your day going.

4. Christian Impact -- The revelations of God that reveal the call and ability of believers to impact the world around them.