Before entering Canaan, the Israelites fought a great battle against Sihon, king of the Amorites, and defeated him (Numbers 21:21–24). Moses had sent him a message asking permission for Israel to pass through his territory, assuring him that they would pay for everything his people and livestock ate and drank. The king’s response was to gather his soldiers and wage war against Israel; therefore, he was killed, his army was destroyed, and his land was taken. Be sensitive to God!

It is possible that Moses sent a message to Og, king of Bashan, with the same proposal given to King Sihon of Heshbon. In response, Og also marched out with his soldiers to fight against Israel and met the same fate as King Sihon (Numbers 21:32–35), and his lands became part of the Israelites’ inheritance. God always knows what He is doing!

When Moses saw that Og, the giant, was ready for battle, he consulted the Lord and was instructed not to fear such a threat. This king, who was so tall that his bed measured four meters in length (Deuteronomy 3:11), could have allowed the children of Israel to pass through and been paid for what was consumed; thus, he would have kept his territory and his people. You see, hatred for the work of the Lord has always existed and continues to exist, for it comes from the devil. However, God fights for His people!

Heaven’s verdict was clear: Og and his people had already been delivered into the hands of Moses, who would confront him just as he had confronted Sihon. This teaches us that no matter who rises up against us, God will fight on our behalf. We are God’s own special people (1 Peter 2:9), and therefore we will overcome every adversity. Believe and pray!

What would it have cost the wicked king Og to accept Moses’ proposal, since he would have suffered no loss? Instead, he brought defeat upon himself by standing against the people of God, and he found it. Today, when faced with any obstacle to carrying out the work of the Lord, seek His guidance and follow it in faith. Join yourself to the people of the Most High!

A person who claims to belong to the Lord cannot fear threats, for the enemy is behind every plan meant to destroy them. Because God has promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), we can and should go into battle, fully assured that He will grant us victory. This is how God instructed Moses: do not fear the king of Bashan. The Lord is our strength!

Allow God to rejoice over you. Never fear the enemy. Obey your heavenly Father, fight for the Word, and work for the spread of the Gospel. Remember: those who trust in the Lord will never stumble or fall; rather, the enemy will stumble and fall (Psalm 27:2). Pray and believe!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares