I was reading Psalm 44, not just reading, but memorizing verses that the Lord had impressed upon me as critical to stand on in faith this year. Psalm 44:4-5 (NLT) says, “You are my King and my God. You command victories for your people. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes.”
As I committed these words to memory, a thought came to me—most people in America can’t fully relate to these scriptures. Israel is surrounded by enemies who actively seek their destruction. Here in the U.S., we’ve been so protected from military attacks that few people ever worry about an enemy invading our soil. Pearl Harbor was devastating, but it was far from the mainland. The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1961 was a close call, and then, of course, there was 9/11—a horrifying wake-up call for many civilians. Still, none of these compare to the Six-Day War of 1967, where Israel fought for its very survival. Even today, Israel lives under constant threat. Unless someone has served in the military or lost a loved one in battle, the idea of pushing back enemies and trampling foes may seem distant.
As Christians, this should not be foreign to us. If you’ve had little exposure to the Bible, the thought of battles between God’s angels and Satan’s demons might sound like something from a sci-fi movie. But this isn’t fiction—the demonic realm is real. Satan is the source of all evil, working behind the scenes to destroy and undermine everything good and of God. One day, God will eradicate evil completely, but He is patient, desiring that people repent rather than perish. His plan of salvation through Jesus is still unfolding, and we are part of it.
Trampling our enemies is a spiritual reality. We are called to trample demonic forces that attack the church, our families, our children, our lives, our nation, and our world. Evil isn’t just seen in extreme groups like ISIS or Hamas. It’s present in the corruption, perversion, and destruction at work in society today. It’s in those who oppose righteousness, in those who seek to bring harm, in those who try to pervert the basic concepts of life, gender, and human conception, and in the attacks against your life that seem to come out of nowhere. These are not just human struggles—they are spiritual battles, and they must be resisted!
How do we trample our enemies? The answer begins and ends with prayer! Jesus said in Luke 10:19-20 (NIV), “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” The reference to snakes and scorpions was not literal—Jesus was speaking about demonic forces. He said, “I give you authority to trample…” That’s spiritual authority, and every believer has it. We use it when we pray in Jesus' name!
Paul gives further insight in Ephesians 6:11-12 (NLT): “Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.”
Maybe you’ve never thought about praying and taking authority over the enemy attacking your job, your health, or your family. Maybe you don’t have soldiers invading your home, but make no mistake—there is an invasion happening. The enemy is actively working to steal your faith, your confidence in God’s love, and the blessings meant for your life. Don’t let him. Stand firm. Trample him in prayer. Rebuke every attack against your life, your home, your loved ones, and your nation in Jesus' name— today!
Psalm 44:4-5 “You are my King and my God. You command victories for your people. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes.”
In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt
